Bolivia Elects New President, Ending 20-Year MAS Party Rule

Strategic Insights -

Bolivia has embarked on a new era of governance after Rodrigo Paz of the centre-right Christian Democratic Party (PDC) was elected president, following a decisive victory in the run-off election. With 97 percent of ballots counted, Paz secured 54.5 percent of the vote, significantly outpacing right-wing former interim President Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga, who trailed with 45.4 percent. Paz's win marks the end of nearly 20 years of rule by the Movement for Socialism (MAS) party, with outgoing President Luis Arce set to leave office on November 8.

Key Takeaways:

  • Bolivia has elected Rodrigo Paz as its new president, ending nearly 20 years of MAS party rule.
  • Paz secured 54.5 percent of the vote in the run-off election, defeating right-wing former interim President Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga with 45.4 percent.
  • Paz has pledged a "capitalism for all" approach, promising tax cuts, tariff reductions, and the decentralisation of the national government.
  • Paz's vice-presidential running mate, Edmand Lara, has called for "unity and reconciliation" and highlighted the need for the government to stabilise fuel prices and end corruption.
  • Outgoing President Luis Arce will leave office on November 8, marking the end of a single presidential term that began in 2020.
  • Bolivia has been struggling with an economic crisis, including annual inflation of almost 25 percent and critical shortages of US dollars and fuel.
  • Bolivia's economy has been impacted by the decline in energy revenues, which have fallen from $6.1bn in 2013 to $1.6bn in 2024.
  • Paz has been unclear about whether he plans to continue a fuel subsidy that has cost the government billions of dollars.

Statistics:

  • 97% of ballots were counted, with Paz securing a decisive victory.
  • Paz secured 54.5% of the vote in the run-off election, while Quiroga trailed with 45.4%.
  • Annual inflation in Bolivia stands at almost 25%.
  • Energy revenues have fallen from $6.1bn in 2013 to $1.6bn in 2024.

Sources:

  • Al Jazeera: "Bolivia on the brink: How a presidential election heralds a political shift" (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/longform/2025/10/16/bolivia-on-the-brink-how-a-presidential-election-heralds-a-political-shift)
  • Al Jazeera: "A political shift ahead: What to know about Bolivia's presidential election" (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/15/a-political-shift-ahead-what-to-know-about-bolivias-presidential-election)
  • Al Jazeera: "Bolivia's Morales blames capitalism for climate change" (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/10/13/bolivias-morales-blames-capitalism-for-climate-change)