Table of Contents
- Election Overview
- Key Issues Driving Bolivia’s Voters
- Meet the Candidates
- Economic Crisis at the Core
- What Happens After Sunday?
- Sources
Bolivia Election 2025: A Historic Shift After Two Decades of Leftist Rule
This Sunday, October 19, 2025, Bolivia holds a presidential runoff that could mark the end of an era. For the first time since 2005, voters will likely elect a conservative president—choosing between Rodrigo Paz and Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga, two right-leaning candidates who promise to fix a faltering economy and rebuild trust in government.
The runoff follows a surprising first round in August, where Paz—a centrist and son of former president Jaime Paz Zamora—jumped from last place in the polls to capture 32% of the vote. Now, he faces Quiroga, a former president with deep ties to U.S. policy circles and a reputation for market-driven reform.
Key Issues Driving Bolivia’s Voters
At the heart of Bolivia’s presidential runoff is a nation weary of economic instability. Citizens face rising prices, chronic fuel shortages, and difficulty accessing U.S. dollars and imported goods. Many blame the outgoing leftist government for mismanagement and corruption.
“There’s a political crisis, an institutional crisis, and a social crisis,” said Bolivian political analyst Carlos Saavedra. “Whoever wins will inherit a country in emergency mode.”
Meet the Candidates
Rodrigo Paz: The Pragmatic Insider
Paz, 52, is positioning himself as a bridge between Bolivia’s socialist past and a more fiscally responsible future. He pledges to protect social programs while improving governance—without turning to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or foreign lenders.
His campaign appeals to rural voters, older citizens, and former supporters of the Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS) who feel abandoned by the current leadership but remain wary of radical change.
Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga: The Pro-Business Reformer
Quiroga, 65, served as president from 2001 to 2002 and holds a degree from Texas A&M University. He champions aggressive economic liberalization, including the privatization of Bolivia’s state-controlled energy sector—a move that could attract foreign investment but dismantle long-standing subsidies.
“Some Bolivians are so frustrated with the status quo that they’re willing to risk Quiroga’s bold agenda,” said Gustavo Flores-Macías, a Latin American politics expert at the University of Maryland.
Economic Crisis at the Core of Bolivia Election 2025
Bolivia’s economy has stalled under the weight of unsustainable fuel subsidies, currency controls, and declining foreign reserves. Both candidates agree the system needs reform—but differ sharply on how to proceed.
| Issue | Rodrigo Paz | Jorge Quiroga |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Subsidies | Reform gradually, protect low-income users | Phase out quickly to reduce fiscal burden |
| Energy Sector | Maintain state control with efficiency upgrades | Privatize to attract private investment |
| IMF Relations | Avoid structural adjustment programs | Open to technical support and loans |
What Happens After Sunday?
Polls open at 8 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. local time. Preliminary results are expected by 8 p.m.
Whoever wins will face immediate pressure to stabilize the economy while navigating Bolivia’s deep social divisions—particularly between urban elites and Indigenous rural communities that powered the MAS to power two decades ago.
“This isn’t just a change in leadership,” said analyst Verónica Rocha. “It’s a referendum on Bolivia’s identity.”
