The latest news on Bolivia. Bolivia's presidential race is heading to a runoff in October after centrist senator Rodrigo Paz emerged as the unexpected frontrunner in Sunday's election, leaving the long-dominant Movement for Socialism (MAS) trailing far behind.
Rodrigo Paz secured 32.18% of the vote, with movement for Socialism (MAS) trailing far behind with 3.16% of the vote. Early results pointed to the left-wing party's poorest showing in a generation, despite calls from former president Evo Morales to boycott the vote.
Conservative Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga secured a place in the second round, while other candidates conceded and signalled support for Paz. With inflation eroding household incomes and economic discontent mounting, voters delivered a clear message of change.
"Bolivia is not just asking for a change in government, it's asking for a change in the political system," Paz said in a speech broadcast on Sunday night. "This is the beginning of a great victory, of a great transformation," he added, as his supporters chanted "renewal."
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