Bolivia Heads to Presidential Run-Off Election

In a decisive turn of events, voters in Bolivia have rejected another term for the Movement for Socialism, which has governed the country for nearly two decades. The election has seen a surprise victory for Sen. Rodrigo Paz Pereira of the Christian Democratic Party, who will face off against former right-wing interim President Jorge Quiroga in a run-off election in October. With over 5 million eligible voters casting ballots, the election marks a significant shift in Bolivia's political landscape.

Key Takeaways:

• Sen. Rodrigo Paz Pereira, 57, of the Christian Democratic Party, secured 1.6 million votes for 32.1% of the vote share, topping the preliminary results.
• Former right-wing interim President Jorge Quiroga garnered 1.3 million votes for 26.8% of the vote tally, positioning him for a run-off election against Pereira.
• The Movement for Socialism's candidate, Eduardo del Castillo, finished sixth with 159,769 votes for a little more than 3% of the vote share.
• More than 5 million eligible voters in the country of 12.4 million cast ballots in the election, marking a significant turnout.
• Pereira's campaign focused on ending corruption and redistributing central government funds to the regions, as opposed to the ruling MAS party.
• The run-off election will see the country elect a non-socialist leader since 2006, marking a significant shift in Bolivia's political landscape.

Statistics:

• 5,000,000+ eligible voters cast ballots in the election
• 12,400,000: Population of Bolivia
• 32.1%: Vote share secured by Sen. Rodrigo Paz Pereira
• 26.8%: Vote share secured by former right-wing interim President Jorge Quiroga
• 159,769: Number of votes secured by Eduardo del Castillo
• 20%: Percent of the vote secured by businessman Samuel Doria Medina

Sources:

• Aug. 18 (UPI)
• The Guardian
• BBC
• South America nation's election commission
• New York-based Foundation for Economic Education libertarian think tank
• U.S. Congressional Research Service report