Bolivia’s Election Ends Two Decades Of Leftist Dominance

Bolivia’s August 17, 2025, presidential election has brought a dramatic political shift, ending nearly 20 years of leftist rule under the Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS) party. For the first time in the country’s history, no candidate won outright in the first round, forcing a runoff scheduled for October 19 between centrist Senator Rodrigo Paz Pereira and former right-wing president Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga.

Rodrigo Paz Pereira surprised many observers by finishing first with about 32% of the vote. His campaign leaned on themes of anti-corruption, grassroots outreach, and a vision of “capitalism for all,” which appealed to voters weary of economic struggles marked by high inflation, fuel shortages, and declining trust in institutions.

Quiroga, who took second place with around 27%, presented himself as a pro-business conservative favoring privatization, fiscal austerity, and renewed ties with global financial institutions.

The once-dominant MAS party suffered a severe collapse. Its candidate Eduardo del Castillo barely surpassed 3% of the vote, while another leftist figure, Andrónico Rodríguez, managed only about 8%. This fragmentation underscored the decline of a political force that had defined Bolivia for two decades.

Former president Evo Morales, barred from running, called on his followers to nullify their ballots in protest. That appeal led to a record 19% of votes being invalidated, surpassing the totals received by many candidates. Analysts see this as evidence of MAS’s weakening influence and internal divisions.

The election outcome signals widespread frustration with the political establishment and a demand for new leadership. The upcoming runoff between Paz and Quiroga represents not only a clash of two competing visions for Bolivia but also a historic break from the country’s long era of leftist dominance.