End of an Era: Bolivia Heads to Runoff
After nearly two decades of dominance by the Movement for Socialism (MAS), Bolivia's political landscape has been fundamentally reshaped. A historic first-round vote on August 17, 2025, has eliminated the ruling party from the presidential race, triggering a runoff between a surprise centrist frontrunner and a right-wing veteran.
Rodrigo Paz
32.8%
Christian Democratic Party
Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga
26.4%
Freedom and Democracy Alliance
First-Round Presidential Results
The vote was fragmented across multiple candidates, but the most telling story lies not just in who won, but in the votes that were intentionally spoiled. Explore the full breakdown below.
The Power of the Protest Vote
The nearly 19% of "Null & Blank" votes is a historically high figure. This was a direct result of former president Evo Morales, who was barred from running, urging his supporters to spoil their ballots in protest. This act effectively split the traditional leftist vote and was a key factor in the MAS party's dramatic collapse, preventing any leftist candidate from reaching the runoff.
Anatomy of a Collapse: Why MAS Lost
The defeat of the Movement for Socialism wasn't a single event, but the result of mounting pressures. A crippling economic crisis combined with a deep internal party feud created the perfect storm for a political upheaval.
Key Factors in the Defeat
Severe Economic Crisis
Voters faced chronic shortages of fuel and U.S. dollars, coupled with soaring inflation. The economic prosperity that once defined the MAS era has evaporated, leading to widespread public discontent.
Internal Party Schism
A bitter power struggle between former president Evo Morales and his successor Luis Arce fractured the party, dividing its base and leadership, ultimately leading Morales to actively sabotage his own party's chances.
Parliamentary Devastation
The collapse extended to the legislature, where MAS lost its long-held majority in a landslide.
75 → 1
Seats in Lower House
21 → 0
Seats in Senate
The Runoff: A Choice Between Two Paths
On October 19, Bolivians will choose their next president. The two candidates represent distinct visions for the country's future, from economic policy to international relations. Here's a look at where they stand.
Rodrigo Paz
Christian Democratic Party (PDC)
A senator and former mayor, Paz is the son of former president Jaime Paz Zamora. He ran a surprise campaign that gained momentum late, positioning himself as a moderate, centrist alternative to both the leftist MAS and the hard-right establishment.
Key Stances:
- Advocates for austerity but opposes selling Bolivia's lithium reserves to foreign companies.
- Proposes tax incentives and accessible credit to stimulate the economy.
- Aims to decentralize government resources to empower regions.
Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga
Freedom and Democracy Alliance
A conservative veteran, Quiroga served as president from 2001-2002. He represents a more traditional right-wing platform, advocating for free-market policies and a significant shift in foreign relations.
Key Stances:
- Supports deep public spending cuts and eliminating fuel subsidies.
- Wants to attract foreign investment, including in the lithium sector.
- Aims to restore close ties with the United States and move away from alliances with countries like Venezuela and Cuba.
What's Next for Bolivia?
The runoff election on October 19 will officially close the chapter on the MAS era, but the country's challenges are far from over. The next president will inherit a severe economic crisis and a highly fragmented legislature where no single party holds a majority. Building a governing coalition will be essential to pass the painful but necessary economic reforms needed to stabilize the country. Meanwhile, Evo Morales remains a powerful political force, and his ability to mobilize his base could pose a significant challenge to the new administration's stability.
