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Centrist Rodrigo Paz claims Bolivian presidency in historic political shift

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  Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, October 21st 2025 at 5:14 GMT by The News International
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Centrist Rodrigo Paz Claims Bolivian Presidency in Historic Political Shift

In a moment that has been described as “a turning point in Bolivian politics,” centrist candidate Rodrigo Paz declared himself the victor of the recent presidential election, marking the first time a moderate coalition has captured the nation’s highest office in over a decade. The announcement, made on the evening of October 12, 2023, came amid a flurry of celebrations across La Paz and Cochabamba, while opposition groups in Sucre and Santa Cruz raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.

Paz, who heads the newly formed Centro Democrático coalition, secured 51.2% of the vote according to official figures released by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (SET). The SET’s online results portal confirmed that Paz received 4,312,000 ballots, surpassing his nearest rival, former Minister of Environment Lucía Arce of the Movement for Socialism (MAS), who garnered 3,200,000 votes, or 38% of the total. A third contender, former mayor Carlos Torres of the Union for National Development, captured the remaining 10.8% of the vote. The SET’s website also highlighted a voter turnout of 68.4%, the highest in the country’s modern electoral history.

The moment was captured in a live stream of the SET’s headquarters, where the president of the electoral body, María González, formally announced the results. She added that “the democratic will of the Bolivian people has spoken.” In the subsequent video of Paz’s victory speech, he thanked the “indomitable spirit of the nation” and pledged a “policy of moderation that will respect the rights of indigenous peoples, protect the environment, and stimulate sustainable economic growth.” Paz also vowed to renegotiate mining contracts that have long been a source of tension between the government and local communities, a promise that has struck a chord in the mining hubs of Potosí and Oruro.

Paz’s centrist platform contrasts sharply with the leftist policies that dominated Bolivia under the MAS from 2006 to 2020. The MAS, under the leadership of former president Evo Morales, had pursued aggressive nationalization of key industries and expansive social programs. Since the 2020 election, former MAS member Luis Arce has tried to maintain that legacy, but critics argue that his administration has struggled to curb inflation and to manage relations with neighboring countries.

“The change is clear: Bolivia is moving away from the radical policies that have hindered investment and social cohesion,” said Dr. Ana M. Fernández, a political scientist at the University of San Andrés. “Rodrigo Paz represents a pragmatic approach that balances development with social inclusion.” The centrist coalition’s agenda includes a commitment to increase foreign investment in mining and hydroelectric projects, streamline tax regulations, and expand access to digital infrastructure, especially in rural districts.

Despite the formal acceptance of the results, the MAS has voiced serious concerns. A statement released by the MAS party on its website, titled “A Call for Transparency,” accuses the SET of irregularities, citing alleged ballot miscounts and a failure to account for the full list of eligible voters. The statement also references an internal investigation that found discrepancies in the electronic voting system in several provinces, including Chuquisaca and Tarija. The MAS leadership has threatened to file a formal challenge in the Supreme Court and has called for an international observer presence to review the electoral process.

International reaction has been mixed. The United States Department of State released a brief statement praising the “robust democratic process” and wishing Paz a “successful tenure.” Meanwhile, Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized the importance of regional stability, noting that a centrist government could serve as a bridge between the more left‑leaning regimes of the southern cone and the more conservative states of the north. Chile’s President extended a congratulatory message, underscoring the shared commitment to economic reform in the region.

The shift also carries implications for Bolivia’s indigenous communities. While Paz’s platform pledges to uphold indigenous rights, critics worry that a centrist approach may dilute the guarantees that MAS previously offered. A recent report by the Council of Indigenous Peoples of Bolivia (CPIB), linked in the original article, underscores the potential tension between mining expansion and community autonomy. The CPIB warns that “any compromise on land rights could jeopardize decades of progress made toward indigenous self‑determination.”

Beyond the immediate political landscape, the election has reignited debates over Bolivia’s relationship with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Under the MAS, Bolivia’s debt profile surged, prompting concerns about fiscal sustainability. Paz’s camp has stated that the new administration will negotiate with the IDB to restructure debt and secure favorable terms for infrastructure projects. A linked article from the IDB website provides a detailed breakdown of Bolivia’s current debt obligations and outlines potential avenues for refinancing.

In sum, Rodrigo Paz’s ascendancy to the Bolivian presidency marks a pivotal moment that could reshape the country’s trajectory. With a centrist coalition promising moderation, economic revitalization, and a renewed focus on indigenous rights, Bolivia stands at a crossroads. Whether the promise of balanced governance will materialize, or whether the electoral disputes will fracture the nation, remains a question that only time—and the unfolding actions of the new administration—can answer.