Bolivians began voting on Sunday (October 19, 2025) in their country’s first presidential runoff that pits two conservative, capitalist candidates against each other, ushering in a new political era after two decades of one-party rule by the Movement Toward Socialism party.
Voters are choosing between former right-wing President Jorge ‘Tuto’ Quiroga and centrist Sen Rodrigo Paz as they look for a leader to lift them out of their country’s worst economic crisis in decades.
Since 2023, the Andean nation has been crippled by a shortage of U.S. dollars that has locked Bolivians out of their own savings and hampered imports. The value of a boliviano on the black market is half the official exchange rate.
Year-on-year inflation soared to 23 per cent last month, the highest rate since 1991. Fuel shortages paralyse the country.
Both Mr. Quiroga and Mr. Paz have billed themselves as candidates of change, vowing to break with the budget-busting populism that domina
Continue Reading on The Hindu
This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.