Bolivia heads to a runoff after an election ends two decades of ruling party dominance
Bolivia heads to a runoff after an election ends two decades of ruling party dominance
Bolivia gears up for first-ever presidential runoff, ending years of 1-party rule
With the last campaigns only one day in the rearview mirror, Bolivia’s political world has delved into preparations for an unprecedented runoff election that will reveal the extent of a centrist senat...
LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Bolivia’s presidential vote is headed to an unprecedented runoff after Sunday’s election ended over two decades of ruling party dominance in the Andean nation.
A centrist, Sen. Rodrigo Paz, drew more votes than the front-runners, although not enough to secure an outright victory, early results showed.
Paz, a former mayor who has sought to soften the edges of the opposition’s push for austerity to rescue Bolivia from a looming economic collapse, will face off against former President Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga, who finished second. Bolivia holds the presidential runoff — its first since its 1982 return to democracy — on Oct. 19.
“This economic model must change,” Paz declared to crowds who cheered and chanted, “Renewal!”
Paz’s campaign had gained unexpected traction as he teamed up with Edman Lara, a social media savvy ex-police captain with evangelical backing whose supporters see him as someone willing to stand up to corruption in the security forces.
With over 91% of the ballots counted Sunday, Paz received 32.8% of the votes cast. Quiroga secured 26.4%. Candidates needed to surpass 50%, or 40% with a 10-point margin of victory, to avoid a runoff.