Rodrigo Paz Pereira Wins Bolivian Presidential Runoff, Marking Rightward Shift
Centre-right senator Rodrigo Paz Pereira, 58, won Bolivia’s presidential runoff election yesterday, signaling a significant change in the country’s political direction after nearly two decades of leftist leadership.
With over 97% of ballots counted in the electoral court’s preliminary tally, Paz Pereira secured 54.6% of the vote, defeating right-wing former president Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga, who received 45.4%. The electoral court emphasized that these figures are preliminary, as Bolivia employs a dual counting system – a quick count based on ballot images and a slower, definitive public count. Official results are expected within seven days. This election outcome could reshape Bolivia’s economic and foreign policies, particularly its relationship with the United States.
“Let’s keep building a future, a new path after 20 years that have left us out of the economy … and geopolitics. We must create jobs,” Paz Pereira told supporters in La Paz shortly after the results were announced. He further stated, “Ideology doesn’t put food on the table. What does is the right to work, strong institutions, legal security, respect for private property, and having certainty about your future – and that’s what we want to work for.” Paz Pereira also expressed his desire to forge a “close relationship” with the United States, hoping to collaborate on solutions starting November 8th and ensure Bolivia’s access to hydrocarbons. The victory marks the first time since 2005 that a candidate from the Movimiento al Socialismo (Mas) party, which previously held power with Evo Morales and Luis Arce, has not won a presidential election.
Defeated candidate Quiroga conceded the race, stating, “Please, I understand the pain we’re feeling. Believe me, if we had systemic evidence [of electoral fraud], we would put it on the table,” while adding he would respect the electoral court’s work. The collapse of the Mas party is largely attributed to internal divisions and a severe economic crisis, with Bolivia facing its worst economic situation in four decades. For more information on Bolivia’s economic challenges, see the World Bank’s country profile. Paz Pereira campaigned on a platform of “popular capitalism,” promising low-interest loans and debt cancellation, and his running mate, former police captain Edman Lara Montaño, gained prominence for exposing alleged corruption within the police force – a key factor in their success. You can learn more about Bolivia’s political system here.
The electoral court will now proceed with the official vote count and certification of the results, with Paz Pereira expected to assume the presidency in the coming months.
