Center-right Senator Rodrigo Paz was elected president of Bolivia after winning the second round of elections held on Sunday (19), defeating conservative Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga. The information was released by Agência Brasil based on official data from the Bolivian electoral court and reports from Reuters and Telesur. Paz obtained 54.5% of the vote, against 45.5% for Quiroga, with 97% of the ballots counted.
The victory ends nearly two decades of rule by the Movement for Socialism (MAS), founded by Evo Morales, and solidifies a political transition amid the country’s worst economic crisis in years. Although elected president, Paz will not have a legislative majority, forcing him to form alliances to govern. His inauguration is scheduled for November 8th.
Victory speech and promises of international openness
In his speech after the results were confirmed in La Paz, Rodrigo Paz stated, “We need to open Bolivia to the world,” signaling a clear shift in Bolivia’s foreign policy after years of aligning with Russia and China. Quiroga quickly conceded defeat.
The new president also promised a balance between fiscal responsibility and social programs, advocating for an economy less dependent on the state. “We will try to build an economy for the people, in which the state is not the central axis,” he declared in an interview with Reuters before the election.
At the end of September, Paz revealed that he was negotiating a $1.5 billion economic cooperation agreement with US authorities to guarantee fuel supplies, which represents a diplomatic realignment with Washington.
Political change after almost 20 years of MAS
Rodrigo Paz’s election represents a significant shift in Bolivia’s political landscape. Since 2006, the country has been governed primarily by the MAS, supported by its indigenous base and policies that strongly influence the state’s economic influence. Paz’s campaign adopted a moderate stance, promising to preserve social gains while advocating for private sector incentives and regional fiscal autonomy.
Jorge Quiroga, on the other hand, advocated austerity measures, public spending cuts, and dialogue with the IMF. Paz’s more gradualist proposal attracted left-wing voters dissatisfied with the MAS, without fully embracing the neoliberal agenda.
Trajectory marked by political legacy and controversies
Born in 1967 in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, while his family lived in exile, Rodrigo Paz is the son of former President Jaime Paz Zamora (1989-1993), who was accused of corruption and drug trafficking ties but never convicted. At age 12, he survived a traumatic episode when his father was the only survivor of a suspected airstrike.
His political career includes serving as a congressman since 2002, as a councilman, and as mayor of Tarija from 2010 to 2020, a period marked by questions about overbilling and management failures. For the last five years, he served as a senator for the Citizen Community alliance, led by Carlos Mesa.
Alliances, social networks and social challenges
Paz’s performance in the first round was boosted by his running mate, Edman Lara, a former police officer and popular figure on social media, especially on TikTok, where he exposed corruption cases. Lara was expelled from the National Police in 2024 after a disciplinary process.
The new government will face resistance from social and union movements. The Bolivian Workers’ Central (COB), the country’s main union, warned that it will react to any attempt to reverse labor and social gains. Indigenous organizations also indicated that they will begin a “new stage of resistance” to defend national sovereignty.
Economic challenges and governance in check
Without a majority in Congress, Rodrigo Paz will have to negotiate with various political forces to approve reforms. Bolivia faces rising inflation, declining international reserves, and fuel shortages. Paz’s proposal includes tax incentives for small businesses, attracting foreign investment, and decentralizing resources to regional governments.
Experts warn that governability will depend on the new president’s ability to balance internal pressures, social demands, and the need for economic recovery.
Source: brasil247.com