In a stunning political upset that has sent shockwaves across Latin America, Bolivia’s long-dominant Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party has been soundly defeated in the August 17 general election. After nearly two decades of uninterrupted rule, the party, founded by former President Evo Morales, lost nearly all of its legislative power and failed to secure a spot in the presidential runoff. The outcome signals a decisive shift away from the leftist politics that have defined the country since 2005. – Bolivia Election
The final tally, approved by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), painted a grim picture for MAS. The party was almost completely wiped out in the legislature, losing all 21 seats in the Senate and securing only two in the lower house. The official MAS presidential candidate, Eduardo del Castillo, received a mere 3.2% of the vote, a figure barely above the 3% threshold needed for a party to maintain its legal status. This crushing defeat has been widely attributed to deep internal divisions and a severe economic crisis marked by soaring inflation and shortages of fuel and U.S. dollars.
With no candidate receiving the necessary 50% of the vote to win outright, the presidential race will now go to a runoff election on October 19. The two candidates advancing are Senator Rodrigo Paz of the Christian Democratic Party (PDC), who surprised many by taking first place with 32.06% of the vote, and former President Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga of the Libre alliance, who came in second with 26.70%. The unexpected surge of Paz, a centrist, and the advance of the conservative Quiroga reflect the public’s desire for a complete break from the past.
A key factor in the MAS party’s downfall was the “null vote” campaign led by Evo Morales himself. Barred from running for an unprecedented fourth term, the former president urged his supporters to cast blank or spoiled ballots to show their protest against the election. This call was widely heeded, with an unusually high proportion of votes—nearly 20% of the total—being invalidated. This protest vote, a product of the deep-seated power struggle between Morales and outgoing President Luis Arce, effectively fragmented the leftist base and ensured the opposition’s victory.
As Bolivia heads into a runoff, the nation stands at a crossroads, with the potential for a new era of centrist or conservative leadership after years of socialist governance.
