Overview

• No candidate secured the required threshold in the August 17 vote, setting an October 19 runoff between Rodrigo Paz (around 32%) and former president Jorge Quiroga (about 27%).
• The ruling Movimiento al Socialismo was routed as its candidate received just over 3%, ending nearly 20 years of MAS governance.
• Widespread economic distress—nearly 25% inflation coupled with fuel and foreign-exchange shortages—boosted support for opponents promising market liberalization, fiscal cuts and private investment.
• Samuel Doria Medina, who placed third, has pledged to back Paz, consolidating the center-right coalition ahead of the runoff.
• Election day saw violence, including a stone attack on Andrónico Rodríguez and a reported explosion at a polling site, underscoring volatility as Bolivia transitions.