Bolivia at a Crossroads: Rodrigo Paz and ‘Tuto’ Quiroga face historic runoff amid economic crisis

Bolivia's presidential runoff on October 19, marked a historic shift in the country's political landscape, ending nearly two decades of left-wing dominance under the Movement to Socialism (MAS) party.

Bolivia is gearing up to hold a presidential runoff election on Sunday, after no candidate secured an outright victory in the first round of voting on August 17.

The first-round result marked a stunning blow to the incumbent Movement to Socialism party, which has dominated the South American country's politics for almost 20 years.

The contest featured centrist Senator Rodrigo Paz Pereira, 58, and conservative former president Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga, 65, both advocating for pro-market reforms and improved relations with the United States. 

Rodrigo Paz, representing the Christian Democratic Party (PDC), positioned himself as a moderate alternative, promising gradual economic reforms while maintaining social protections. He emphasized the need for a "new stage of Bolivian democracy," aiming to address public fatigue with the previous administration's policies.

Jorge Quiroga, leading the Libre alliance, proposed more aggressive economic measures, including austerity policies, privatization of state-owned enterprises, and a reduction in public spending. His platform appealed to business elites and voters seeking rapid economic stabilization. 

Both candidates pledged to rebuild relations with the United States and move away from alliances with China, Russia, and Iran. They also aimed to overhaul the state-led economic model blamed for Bolivia's ongoing economic crisis, characterized by double-digit inflation, fuel and dollar shortages, and declining natural gas exports. 

The election results are expected to have significant implications for Bolivia's domestic policies and international relations. Voting stations opened at 8 a.m. local time (1200 GMT) and close at 4 p.m., with initial results expected after 9 p.m.  The new president is set to be inaugurated on November 8, 2025. 

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