Rodrigo Paz, a centrist senator who was not widely known nationally, emerged victorious in Bolivia’s presidential election on Sunday, according to preliminary results, energizing voters angered by the country’s economic turmoil.
Paz secured 54% of the votes in the initial results, while his opponent Jorge (Tito) Quiroga, a former president in the early 2000s, obtained 45%.
Addressing his supporters on Sunday night alongside his wife, María Helena Urquidi, and their four adult children, Paz expressed confidence in his government’s ability to provide solutions. He emphasized the country’s readiness for change and progress.
The presidential runoff, a rarity since the rise of Bolivia’s Movement Toward Socialism party in 2005 under Evo Morales, featured a contest between two conservative candidates. President Luis Arce, who had differences with Morales, decided against seeking another term for MAS due to its poor performance in the previous elections.
Paz, accompanied by his popular running mate Edman Lara, a former police captain, resonated with working-class and rural voters disillusioned by MAS’s excessive spending.
Following the election results, supporters of Paz erupted in jubilation in La Paz, celebrating with fireworks and car horns, expressing a sense of triumph.
Despite his long political career as a lawmaker and mayor, Paz entered the race relatively unknown, polling poorly initially. His selection of Edman Lara as his vice-presidential candidate, a former policeman known for denouncing corruption, garnered significant attention and support.
The winning party dominated in six out of nine regional departments, securing key regions that were once strongholds of Morales. Paz’s Christian Democratic Party holds a slight majority in Congress, but compromises will be necessary to enact substantial reforms.
Paz’s proposed economic reforms include ending fixed exchange rates, phasing out fuel subsidies, and reducing public investment. He aims to balance MAS-style benefits with gradual free-market changes.
Quiroga conceded to Paz after the results were announced, urging acceptance to avoid destabilizing the country. Paz’s pledge to avoid IMF interventions and prioritize fighting corruption resonated with moderate voters.
Paz’s victory was hailed as a transformative opportunity by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, emphasizing the potential for improved relations between the two nations.