Rodrigo Paz, leader of the Christian Democratic Party (PDC), won Bolivia’s 2025 presidential election with 54.5% of the vote, defeating former interim President Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga (45.5%) in the October 19 runoff. He will assume office on November 8, 2025.
Paz’s victory marks the end of nearly two decades of socialist dominance by the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS), once led by Evo Morales. A 58-year-old economist educated in the U.S., Paz ran on a centrist and reform-oriented platform, pledging “capitalism for all”—balancing market reforms with social welfare.
Bolivia is currently facing a severe economic crisis with high inflation and fuel shortages, which fueled voter dissatisfaction. Paz now faces the challenge of governing without a legislative majority, requiring alliances to stabilize the economy, rebuild investor trust, and strengthen democracy.
