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Saudi Gazette
an hour ago
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Bolivia set to elect first non-left wing president in two decades
LA PAZ — Bolivia is set to elect a non-left wing president after nearly two decades of near-continuous rule by the incumbent socialist party, according to official preliminary results. Senator Rodrigo Paz Pereira and former president Jorge Quiroga came in first and second place respectively in Sunday's presidential elections. Neither received a high enough share of the vote to secure an outright win, so the vote will go to a run-off between these two candidates, due in October. Paz Pereira, of the Christian Democratic Party, was a surprise vote leader, after opinion polls had suggested Samuel Doria Medina, a businessman, was the frontrunner. The electoral authorities said it can take up to three days to finalise the results. Paz Pereira's campaign focused on redistributing more funds away from central government towards regional entities, and fighting corruption — with his slogan "capitalism for all, not just a few". He has suggested a programme of accessible credit, tax breaks to boost the formal economy, and eliminating import barriers for products that Bolivia doesn't manufacture. Quiroga briefly acted as interim president from 2001-2002 after serving as Vice President to Hugo Banzer, a military dictator until he was later elected. The election of a president from outside the left camp will likely see sharp changes in the Latin American country's foreign policy. In terms of trade, both candidate's capitalist stances could indicate more support for foreign investment in Bolivia's vast lithium reserves — the key ingredient for batteries used in many electric cars, laptops and solar panels. Politically, a change in government could mark closer ties with the US, after two decades of strengthening ties between Bolivia and China, Russia and Iran. A recent US Congress report briefing described US-Bolivia relations as "strained" under the socialist party's governance. The country's turn to the right comes as it is experiencing its worst economic crisis in years, with shortages of fuel, foreign reserves and some food items and high inflation and debt. Opinion polls ahead of the election suggested that many voters wanted to vote for change, or to punish the incumbent Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS) party. The current president, Luis Arce, mired in deep unpopularity, decided not to seek re-election. The punishment of the left is not just electoral, but physical in some cases. The candidate for MAS, Eduardo del Castillo, was booed out of the school where he cast his vote. Bolivian media reported that some fellow voters told him to "wait in line like they do for fuel" rather than skip the voting queue. People also threw stones at the highest-polling left-wing candidate, Andrónico Rodríguez, when he went to cast his ballot. Rodríguez was previously a member of MAS before splintering from the party. Authorities in Bolivia also said that an explosive device was set off at the polling station where Rodríguez cast his vote. There were no reports of significant damage or injuries. Rodríguez described it as an "isolated incident" orchestrated by a "small group" to a Bolivian newspaper. The left has not just faced recent unpopularity over the economy. It is also deeply divided. For the first time in about two decades, the former president, Evo Morales, was not on the ballot. Morales ruled the country from 2006-2019 and was barred from running again, despite attempts to challenge legal and constitutional rulings to let him run for a fourth term. He has urged his supporters to null their vote. Rodríguez was once seen as a protégé of Morales, but has since distanced himself from him. The last election in 2019 was disputed and protests erupted. Morales was accused of fraud after auditors found irregularities with the poll and he resigned under pressure from the military. In 2020, Luis Arce — a former finance minister under Morales — took office as president. Morales then announced he would return to politics in Bolivia, and deprived Arce of a majority — turning the pair from allies to rivals. Deep rifts and power struggles have existed in the ruling MAS party ever since. Morales's supporters have held protests and roadblocks against the re-election ban imposed on him, which have at times turned deadly with some emergency responders being killed. Judges ordered an arrest warrant for Morales over an alleged sexual relationship and rape of a 15-year-old girl. He has called the accusations politically-motivated. He has been living and operating from Chapare in Bolivia, protected at times by his supporters. — BBC
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Bolivia's presidential vote heads to runoff between centrist and right-wing candidates
With over 91% of the ballots counted Sunday, Paz received 32.8% of the votes cast. Quiroga secured 26.4%. Candidates needed to surpass 50%, or 40% with a 10-point margin of victory, to avoid a runoff. Addressing fans and flanked by family as confetti hearts sprayed from the ceiling, Quiroga congratulated Paz on his lead. 'What happened is unprecedented. Bolivia told the world that we want to live in a free nation,' he said. 'It's a historic night.' A leftist establishment confronts its demise The results delivered a major blow to Bolivia's hegemonic Movement Toward Socialism, or MAS, party, which has governed Bolivia almost uninterrupted since its founder, charismatic ex-President Evo Morales, rose to power as part of the 'pink tide' of leftist leaders that swept into office across Latin America during the commodities boom of the early 2000s. The official MAS candidate, Eduardo del Castillo, finished sixth with just 3.2% of the vote. A leftist candidate considered to be the party's best hope, 36-year-old Senate president Andrónico Rodríguez, captured 8% of the vote. During his almost 14 years in power, Morales expanded the rights of the country's Indigenous majority, defended coca growers against U.S.-backed eradication programs and poured natural gas profits into social programs and infrastructure. But the maverick leader's increasingly high-handed attempts to prolong his presidency — along with allegations of sexual relations with underage girls — soured public opinion against him. Simmering discontent turned into a tidal wave of anger at the MAS as Bolivia's once-stable economy imploded under Morales' protégé-turned-rival, President Luis Arce. Annual inflation rate has soared from 2% less than two years ago to over 16% as of last month. A scarcity of fuel has paralyzed the country. A desperate shortage of U.S. dollars needed to pay for essential imports like wheat has crippled the economy. As the crisis accelerated, MAS leaders traded blame. A power struggle between Morales and Arce ultimately fractured the party and handed the opposition a real shot at victory even as its uncharismatic candidates failed to unite. In perhaps the most visible sign of how fed up Bolivians are with the MAS, leftist politicians casting their ballots across Bolivia on Sunday faced barrages of boos, insults and thrown objects. At one point, a dynamite stick went off near the school where Rodríguez planned to cast his ballot in Morales' tropical stronghold of Chapare. When he arrived hours later, pro-Morales crowds assaulted him with bottles and rocks as he voted. A centrist takes a surprise lead The win for Paz came as a shock to a nation that had been conditioned by weeks of opinion polls to expect that the leading right-wing contenders, Quiroga and businessman Samuel Doria Medina, would capture the top two spots. Sunday marked Doria Medina's fourth failed presidential bid. He told grim-faced supporters that he had 'no regrets.' 'I wanted to serve Bolivia as president, and it hasn't been possible,' he said. The promotion of Paz and his more moderate tone reflects Bolivian ambivalence about a dramatic veer to the right. Paz has sought to distance himself from pledges by Quiroga and Doria Medina to sell Bolivia's abundant lithium reserves to foreign companies and turn to the International Monetary Fund for billions of dollars of loans. But he has also launched blistering attacks on the MAS party and its economic model of subsidized energy and hefty public investment. 'I want to congratulate the people because this is a sign of change,' Paz said. 'They want a different future.' New face, old roots Despite their grand promises for change, Doria Medina and Quiroga struggled to stir up voter excitement. Bolivians associate them both with the U.S.-backed neoliberal administrations that Morales repudiated when he stormed to office in 2006, famously declaring an end to Bolivia's 20-year experiment with free-market capitalism. Now, after 20 years of Morales' populist, state-directed policies, Bolivia faces a return to belt-tightening. After years of alignment with world powers like China and Russia, Bolivia seems set to reconcile with the United States. 'They were inside the government. If they couldn't govern well before, what makes us think they'll do it now?' asked Yaitzel Poma, 30, referring to Paz's right-wing rivals as she celebrated along the main avenue of Bolivia's capital of La Paz on Sunday. 'It's about learning from the past to make better choices now.' Paz supporters have described the former mayor of the southern town of Tarija as a fresh face with new ideas. 'We want new people, new proposals, another chance for young people,' said 38-year-old Jaqueline Cachaca, another Paz supporter who lost her job at a bank this year amid a wave of layoffs and now sells street food. But Paz, too, has deep ties to Bolivia's old political elite. The 57-year-old lawmaker has had a long career in politics — running for senator with Quiroga's right-wing party in 2014. He's the son of former President Jaime Paz Zamora, who began his political career as a co-founder of the Revolutionary Left Movement, a radical party persecuted under the bloody military dictatorship of Hugo Banzer in the 1970s, before striking a pact with Banzer's right-wing party that would vault him to the presidency from 1989 to 1993. Doria Medina served as his minister of planning in that government.
Al Jazeera
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Bolivia to hold presidential run-off between centrist and right-winger
Bolivia is heading to a presidential run-off between a centrist and right-wing candidate, confirming the end of two decades of government by the Movement for Socialism (MAS), according to the South American country's electoral council. With more than 91 percent of the ballots counted on Sunday night, preliminary results showed centrist Rodrigo Paz of the Christian Democratic Party (PDC) in the lead, with 32.8 percent of the vote. Conservative former interim President Jorge 'Tuto' Quiroga, of the Alianza Libre coalition, was in second place, with 26.4 percent of the vote, meaning he will face Paz, the son of former left-leaning President Jaime Paz, in a run-off election on October 19. Candidates needed to surpass 50 percent, or 40 percent with a 10-point margin of victory, to avoid a run-off. Al Jazeera's Latin America editor Lucia Newman, reporting from Bolivia's Santa Cruz de la Sierra, said the early results confirmed that MAS, which has governed the country since 2005, is 'out of the picture'. But the 'biggest surprise', Newman said, is 'that the frontrunner is none other than somebody who was polling between fourth and fifth place up until now'. Paz is 'more to the centre' than his father, Newman added. Eight presidential candidates were in the running in Sunday's presidential election – from the far-right to the political left. Pre-election polls had shown Samuel Doria Medina, a wealthy businessman and former planning minister, as one of two frontrunners alongside Quiroga, who served as interim president and vice president under former military leader President Hugo Banzer. Former leftist President Evo Morales was barred from running, and the outgoing socialist President Luis Arce, who had fallen out with Morales, opted out of the race. The division within their leftist coalition, along with the country's deep economic crisis, meant few expected MAS to return to power. Official results are due within seven days. Voters will also elect all 26 senators and 130 deputies, and officials assume office on November 8. Spiralling inflation The Andean country has been struggling through its worst economic crisis in a generation, marked by annual inflation of almost 25 percent and critical shortages of US dollars and fuel. Bolivians repeatedly took to the streets to protest rocketing prices and hours-long waits for fuel, bread and other basics in the lead-up to Sunday's election. Bolivia enjoyed more than a decade of strong growth and Indigenous upliftment under Morales, who nationalised the gas sector and ploughed the proceeds into social programmes that halved extreme poverty during his stint in power between 2006 and 2019. But a lack of new gas projects under Morales, who was outspoken on environmental issues and climate change, has seen gas revenues plummet from a peak of $6.1bn in 2013 to $1.6bn last year. With the country's other major resource, lithium, still underground, the government has nearly run out of the foreign exchange needed to import fuel, wheat and other foodstuffs.
Reuters
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Bolivia's left in historic defeat as presidential vote set for October runoff
LA PAZ, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Centrist senator Rodrigo Paz was leading Bolivia's presidential election late on Sunday, according to early official results, which showed the ruling Movement for Socialism (MAS) on track for its worst election defeat in a generation. Paz of the Christian Democratic Party had secured 32.18% of the vote, while Eduardo del Castillo of MAS had just 3.16%, according to initial results released by the electoral tribunal on Sunday night. Conservative former President Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga of the Alianza coalition was in second with 26.94% of the vote. "Bolivia is not just asking for a change in government, it's asking for a change in the political system," Paz said in a speech broadcast on Sunday night. "This is the beginning of a great victory, of a great transformation," he added, as his supporters chanted "renewal." Earlier on Sunday, Quiroga acknowledged the results, confirming his place in the runoff, and congratulated Paz on his performance. Outgoing President Luis Arce released an upbeat statement recognizing the results. "Democracy has triumphed," the statement read. If no presidential candidate obtains more than 40% of the vote with a 10-point lead, the election will be decided in a runoff on October 19. Full official results will be announced within seven days. Paz's strong performance surprised analysts. Opinion polls had suggested that the senator, with roughly 10% support, was far behind Quiroga and center-right candidate Samuel Doria Medina of the Unidad Alliance coalition. Businessman Medina conceded defeat on Sunday and said he would support Paz in an eventual runoff. Sunday's general election has been overshadowed by inflation at a four-decade high and the absence of former leftist president Evo Morales, who was barred from running and criticized the vote. But Morales' calls to boycott the election appeared to fall flat. Voter turnout on Sunday was steady, authorities said. Despite earlier concerns that the electoral process could be obstructed by supporters of Morales, who had called on the public to boycott the race, international observers said there were no major disruptions. Several minor incidents took place at polling stations in the central region of Cochabamba, Morales' political stronghold. With a crowded field of eight contenders and no dominant MAS party candidate, the election marked a "crossroads moment" for Bolivia, said Southern Andes analyst Glaeldys Gonzalez Calanche of the International Crisis Group. Bolivia's fragile economy has been at the top of many voters' minds. Price rises have surged past other Latin American countries this year, and fuel and dollars have run scarce. Annual inflation doubled to 23% in June, up from 12% in January, with some Bolivians turning to cryptocurrencies as a hedge. Many Bolivians, especially those who work in the informal economy, were now struggling to make ends meet, said economist Roger Lopez. "Bolivia is on the brink," said Lopez. "It has no dollars and faces obligations that must be paid in dollars, and voters understand that the coming years will be difficult." Early election results indicated millions of voters chose to punish MAS on Sunday, creating a window of opportunity for the first time in nearly two decades for centrists and the right, which together commanded roughly three quarters of the vote, the early count showed. "Every year the situation has got worse under this government," said Silvia Morales, 30, from La Paz, a retail worker. A former MAS voter, she said this time she would cast her vote for the center-right. Carlos Blanco Casas, 60, a teacher in La Paz, said he intended to vote for change. "This election feels hopeful. We need a change of direction," he said. Quiroga has promised "radical change" to reverse what he calls "20 lost years" under MAS rule. He supports deep public spending cuts and a shift away from alliances with Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua. Quiroga was president for a year in 2001-2002 after Bolivia's then-leader resigned. Paz, meanwhile, plans to decentralize government by introducing a "50-50 economic model" in which the central government would manage only half of public funds. The remainder would be designated to regional governments. Silvia Morales, 30, a former MAS voter from La Paz, said she had cast her ballot for Paz on Sunday. "He's a new face with experience," she said, "I think we should make space for new opportunities." Voters also elected all 26 senators and 130 deputies, and officials will take office on November 8.
Japan Today
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Japan Today
Bolivia exit polls suggest leftist defeat; centrist Rodrigo Paz leads
Aymara women walk to vote at a polling station during the general election, in El Alto, Bolivia August 17, 2025. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares By Lucinda Elliott and Monica Machicao Early exit polls in Bolivia's presidential election on Sunday showed Centrist Senator Rodrigo Paz of the Christian Democratic Party leading, with the ruling Movement for Socialism party on track to suffer its worst electoral defeat in a generation. Paz had secured 31.3% of the vote, according to a poll published by Unitel TV, while the ruling Movement for Socialism party candidate Eduardo del Castillo had just 3.2%, with other leftist challengers trailing the opposition. Conservative former president Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga, of the Alianza Libre coalition, was in second with 27.3%, said Unitel. If no presidential candidate wins more than 40% support with a 10 percentage point lead, the election will head to a runoff on October 19 between the top two candidates. Official results are expected after 9 p.m. Sunday's general election has been overshadowed by inflation at a four-decade high and the absence of former leftist president Evo Morales, who is barred from running. Voter turnout on Sunday was steady, authorities said. Despite earlier concerns that the electoral process in Bolivia could be obstructed by supporters of Morales, who had called on the public to boycott the race, international observers said the vote took place without major disruptions. Head of the electoral mission of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Bolivia, Juan Fernando Cristo, said the elections proceeded "normally" in a post on X. Earlier on Sunday, several minor incidents took place at polling stations in the central region of Cochabamba, Morales' political stronghold. With a crowded field and no dominant MAS party candidate, the election marks a "crossroads moment" for Bolivia, said Southern Andes analyst Glaeldys Gonzalez Calanche of the International Crisis Group. Bolivia's fragile economy has been top-of-mind for voters. Price rises have surged past other Latin American countries this year, and fuel and dollars have run scarce. Annual inflation doubled to 23% in June, up from 12% in January, with some Bolivians turning to cryptocurrencies as a hedge. Many Bolivians, especially those who work in the informal economy, were now struggling to make ends meet, said economist Roger Lopez. "Prices of the basic food basket are going up fast," said Lopez. "Suddenly the math doesn't add up anymore." Exit polls indicated they chose to punish MAS on Sunday, creating a window of opportunity for centrists, the right, or a leftist faction led by Senate President Andronico Rodriguez. "Every year the situation has got worse under this government," said Silvia Morales, 30, from La Paz, who works in retail. A former MAS voter, she said this time she would cast her vote for the center-right. Carlos Blanco Casas, 60, a teacher in La Paz, said he intended to vote for change. "This election feels hopeful. We need a change of direction," he said. Quiroga has promised "radical change" to reverse what he calls "20 lost years" under MAS rule. He supports deep public spending cuts and a shift away from alliances with Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua. Quiroga was president for a year in 2001-2002 after the then-leader resigned. Paz meanwhile plans to decentralize government by introducing a "50-50 economic model" in which the central government would manage only half of public funds. The remainder would be designated to regional governments. Silvia Morales, 30, a former MAS voter from La Paz, said she had cast her ballot for Paz on Sunday. "He's a new face with experience," she said, "I think we should make space for new opportunites." On the left, the vote is split between the official MAS party candidate Eduardo del Castillo, who is backed by outgoing President Luis Arce, and Senate President Andronico Rodriguez, who has distanced himself from the party and is running on his own ticket. Morales, 69, has called for a boycott of the election, but analysts said his influence is waning. "There is widespread support for these elections," said Calanche. "Most Bolivians see them as key to leading the country towards economic recovery." © Thomson Reuters 2025.
