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Right and left (Political science)

Bolivia Votes Out Leftist Party After 20 Years of Domination

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Bolivia has embarked on a new chapter in its history, with the country's leftist Movimiento al Socialismo (Mas) party, which had ruled for nearly 20 years, being voted out of power in the general election on August 17. The centre-right Rodrigo Paz Pereira and right-wing Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga will now compete for the presidency in a run-off vote in October, following the election's outcome. According to the election results, Paz Pereira won 32.2% of the vote, while Quiroga secured 26.9%. The election was marked by two critical issues: the dire state of the economy, with Bolivia experiencing its worst economic crisis in four decades, and a decision to continue with the old style of patronage politics or opt for a new political ideology. The voters were clear; they wanted change. The results are likely to signal the end of the political career of Evo Morales, Bolivia's three-time former president and the founder of Mas.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Movimiento al Socialismo (Mas) party, which had ruled Bolivia for nearly 20 years, was voted out of power in the general election on August 17.
  • Centre-right Rodrigo Paz Pereira won 32.2% of the vote, while right-wing Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga secured 26.9% in the first round of voting.
  • The election was dominated by two critical issues: the dire state of the economy and a decision to continue with the old style of patronage politics or opt for a new political ideology.
  • Voters were clear that they wanted change, with many choosing to vote for the lesser evil, with Paz Pereira being a surprise vote leader.
  • Former police captain and TikTok-savvy Santiago Aramayo's decision to join Paz Pereira's campaign appealed to many voters.
  • The new president will have to rein in runaway inflation, put back together a fractured nation marked by racial and ideological divides, and realign Bolivia's relationship with the rest of the world.

Statistics:

  • 32.2% - percentage of votes won by Rodrigo Paz Pereira in the first round of voting.
  • 26.9% - percentage of votes won by Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga in the first round of voting.
  • 3.16% - percentage of votes won by current interior minister Eduardo del Castillo, enough to avoid losing his party's legal status.
  • 19.1% - proportion of null and void ballots, an unusually high proportion in Bolivia's electoral history.

Sources:

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