Rodrigo Paz Wins: Bolivia's Electoral Context in Five Charts
Rodrigo Paz won over disillusioned voters in the October runoff but faces a challenging economic scenario when he takes the reins in November.
Bolivia's President-elect Rodrigo Paz, who defied polls to bring home the biggest vote share in the first round, won Bolivia’s presidential runoff on October 19.
This marks the end of the 20-year dominance of the Movement for Socialism (MAS), a leftist party hobbled by unpopularity linked to Bolivia’s economic downturn and infighting between its long-time populist leader, ex-President Evo Morales (2006–2019), and outgoing President Luis Arce.
Paz, who won 54% of the vote, will take office in November and face a challenging economic scenario.
For the first time in two decades, Bolivian voters opted for something new.
- Rodrigo Paz won the presidential runoff on October 19.
- The Movement for Socialism (MAS) will have a severely diminished role in the country’s fragmented legislature.
Author's summary: Rodrigo Paz wins presidential election in Bolivia.