Bolivians voted in elections that could see a right-wing government elected for the first time in over two decades, amid a looming economic collapse. The vote, which was marked by a lack of enthusiasm from voters, saw 30% of eligible citizens remaining undecided.
The two leading right-wing candidates, Samuel Doria Medina and Jorge Fernando “Tuto” Quiroga, are locked in a virtual dead heat, according to polls. However, many longtime voters for the governing Movement Toward Socialism party live in rural areas and tend to be undercounted in polling.
Bolivia’s economic crisis has left citizens struggling with fuel lines, bread shortages, and double-digit inflation. The opposition candidates have billed the election as a chance to alter the country’s destiny.
A right-wing victory could trigger a major geopolitical realignment for Bolivia, which is currently allied with Venezuela’s socialist-inspired government and world powers such as China, Russia, and Iran.
The front-runners have vowed to restore ties with the United States, which has been ruptured since Evo Morales expelled the American ambassador in 2008. They have also expressed interest in doing business with Israel and attracting foreign investment to develop Bolivia’s rich natural resources.
Bolivia’s first Indigenous president, Evo Morales, who was barred from running due to a constitutional court ruling, has urged his supporters to deface their ballots or leave them blank. His ally-turned-rival, President Luis Arce, has appealed to the population to reject Morales’ calls and cast their votes.
The outcome of the election will determine whether Bolivia follows a growing trend in Latin America, where right-wing leaders have surged in popularity. Whoever wins faces daunting challenges, including austerity measures that could spark social unrest.
All 130 seats in Bolivia’s Chamber of Deputies are up for grabs, along with 36 in the Senate. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, a runoff will be held on October 19 for the first time since Bolivia’s return to democracy in 1982.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/17/americas/polls-bolivia-open-national-elections-could-empower-right-latam-intl