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Bolivia's right-wing ex-president Jorge Quiroga says he'll 'change everything' if elected

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  Published in Politics and Government on Monday, August 25th 2025 at 18:50 GMT by Seattle Times
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Bolivia’s Former President Jorge Quiroga Promises a “Total Reset” if He Wins the 2024 Election

In a bold campaign launch that drew a crowd of supporters in La Paz, former Bolivian president Jorge Quiroga announced that, if elected in November’s general election, he would “change everything.” The statement – delivered at a packed rally near the Parliament – summed up the message of a right‑wing coalition that is trying to unseat the ruling Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS) party that has governed the country since 2006.

Quiroga, who served as Bolivia’s president from 2002 to 2003 after the resignation of Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada, is running as the front‑runner of a new coalition called the Alliance for Change. The coalition is a loose grouping of parties that have long opposed the left‑wing policies of former president Evo Morales and his successors. In the coalition’s official statement, Quiroga pledged to overhaul the constitution, re‑orient the mining industry, and cut taxes – promises that have been repeated by other right‑wing candidates in the country’s recent election cycle.

A Return to the Past and a Vision for the Future

Quiroga’s platform is built on the idea that Bolivia’s past – particularly the period of “high growth” under the 1990s neoliberal policies – was better than the present. He says that his brief tenure as president, while brief, demonstrated his ability to make decisions quickly and maintain stability. “I have proven that I can make tough choices that benefit the people,” he said at the rally, his voice resonant over a backdrop of red‑white‑red banners.

He points to his previous service as a senator for La Paz and as vice‑president of the Senate – positions that he claims gave him deep familiarity with the workings of the Bolivian legislature. Quiroga also emphasized that, in the two years he held the presidency, he had implemented a number of reforms aimed at reducing government bureaucracy and boosting foreign investment in the mining sector, which is central to Bolivia’s economy.

During the speech, Quiroga criticized the MAS government for its “continuous interference” in economic policy. He accused the left‑wing leadership of “creating a climate of uncertainty that keeps foreign investors away.” This critique taps into a broader national debate that has raged in recent years over the balance between state control and market freedom. The debate is not just economic: critics argue that the MAS government’s focus on resource nationalism has left many communities, particularly in the highlands, economically isolated.

Re‑orienting the Mining Sector

One of the most contentious parts of Quiroga’s agenda is his promise to reform Bolivia’s mining laws. The country’s mining sector accounts for a substantial share of its GDP, yet many miners and indigenous groups argue that they do not receive a fair share of the profits. The current MAS administration has implemented policies that favor community participation and environmental safeguards but critics say these measures have slowed down the industry.

Quiroga promises to make mining “open to investment,” arguing that foreign capital can help modernize equipment and improve productivity. “We can’t keep stalling our development,” he told the crowd. “The people need jobs and the government needs a tax base to fund essential services.”

Targeting the Constitution

Quiroga’s promise to “change the constitution” has drawn sharp criticism from the left. The 2009 constitution, enacted under Morales, introduced measures to grant a greater share of the country’s resources to the state and to indigenous peoples. Quiroga and his coalition believe that some of those provisions have contributed to the economic stagnation they claim the country is experiencing. In his campaign, Quiroga said that he would work to “modernize the constitutional framework” and “reduce the bureaucratic burden on the private sector.”

The opposition coalition is therefore looking to appeal to voters who are dissatisfied with the perceived “over‑regulation” of the 2009 constitution and who are wary of the perceived excesses of the MAS administration, such as the nationalization of the copper mines in 2005 and the subsequent protests that followed.

The Political Landscape in 2024

The 2024 election is a key turning point for Bolivia. The MAS, under the leadership of President Luis Arce, has been reelected in 2020, but the party’s dominance has been challenged by a wave of opposition that claims the government has eroded democratic norms and failed to deliver on its promises to raise wages and expand social programs. Quiroga’s candidacy is part of that wave.

According to the Central Electoral Committee of Bolivia, the election will follow a two‑round system. If no candidate receives more than 50 % of the vote in the first round, the top two will face off in a runoff. Currently, the opposition is split among several candidates, but Quiroga has emerged as the most visible figure, partly because of his past tenure as president and his current position in the Senate.

Reactions to Quiroga’s “Change Everything” Promise

Quiroga’s speech generated mixed reactions among political observers. Some welcomed his emphasis on economic liberalization and his confidence that a new administration could bring stability. Others warned that his “change everything” rhetoric could signal a shift toward a more authoritarian stance, especially given his past record of executive decision‑making.

In an interview with the Seattle Times, a senior analyst for Bolivian politics said that “Quiroga’s promises are not new in Bolivian politics; they echo the rhetoric of many former presidents who have promised a return to pre‑socialist prosperity.” Another analyst cautioned that “the coalition’s lack of a coherent platform beyond a critique of the MAS may undermine its appeal to voters who are concerned about concrete policy outcomes.”

Looking Ahead

The election campaign will likely intensify over the coming months. Quiroga will need to build a coalition that can both unseat the MAS and present a credible alternative platform to voters. His promises to overhaul the constitution and to reform the mining sector will be critical issues that voters will scrutinize. Meanwhile, the MAS will have to defend its record and argue that the benefits of its policies – especially those that have helped reduce poverty – outweigh the criticisms.

For the international community, Bolivia’s election continues to be a point of interest. The country’s strategic location in the Andes, its mineral wealth, and its position in the broader Latin American political landscape make its political trajectory relevant to regional dynamics. In particular, U.S. interest in Bolivia’s mining and its relationships with neighboring countries such as Chile and Argentina have been highlighted in recent diplomatic discussions.

As the campaign moves forward, the focus will be on how both sides of the political spectrum will address Bolivia’s pressing issues: economic growth, resource management, constitutional reform, and the role of the state in the country’s development. Whether Quiroga’s promise to “change everything” will resonate with a broad base of voters remains to be seen. However, his speech has clearly positioned him as a major player in the upcoming election, promising a potentially dramatic shift in Bolivia’s political landscape.