Bolivia has just flipped the political script. After nearly 20 years under the leftist Movement for Socialism (MAS), the country has elected Rodrigo Paz — leader of the Christian Democratic Party (PDC) — as its new president.

With 97% of votes counted, Paz secured 54.5%, defeating former interim president Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga, who garnered 45.4%, according to Bolivia’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal.

At 58 years old, Paz is no stranger to politics. He’s the son of Jaime Paz Zamora, a former left-wing president, and has built his own career from the ground up — from city councillor to mayor of Tarija, to senator, and now, the nation’s top office.

His platform? A blend of economic liberalism and social inclusion — what he calls “capitalism for all.” He’s promising tax cuts, lower tariffs, and decentralization of government power to revive the economy and restore trust.

His vice president, Edmand Lara, echoed a message of healing in his victory remarks, saying:

“We must ensure the supply of diesel and gasoline. People are suffering. We need to stabilize prices and put an end to corruption.”

The win marks a seismic political shift. The MAS party, once dominant under Evo Morales and later Luis Arce, fell apart amid internal divisions and a deep economic crisis. Morales was barred from running due to term limits, and Arce chose not to seek re-election — leaving the party fractured.

Still, Morales remains a force. Speaking after the results, he dismissed both leading candidates as representing “a handful of people,” not the popular or Indigenous movements that shaped Bolivia’s recent history.

💸 A Country in Crisis

Paz steps into office facing a severe economic storm — inflation near 25%, fuel shortages, and a scarcity of U.S. dollars. In recent months, Bolivians have queued for hours to buy bread and gasoline, sparking protests nationwide.

The once-booming gas sector that fueled Bolivia’s prosperity during Morales’s early years has dwindled, with revenues plunging from $6.1 billion in 2013 to $1.6 billion in 2024. Paz has been vague on whether he’ll keep fuel subsidies — sometimes hinting at limiting them to “vulnerable sectors.”

The world is watching closely as Bolivia begins a new political chapter — one that could redefine not just its economy, but the balance between capitalism, Indigenous identity, and social progress.