Bolivian General Elections 2025

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Bolivia stands at a crucial crossroads, with a general election scheduled for August 17, 2025 that promises to be one of the most consequential and unpredictable in the nation's recent history. This election is not just about a change in leadership, but, yet again, a profound test of the country's political institutions and its ability to navigate a period of deep internal division and, this time coupled with economic uncertainty. The backdrop to this electoral contest is a spectacular schism within the ruling Movement for Socialism (MAS) party, which has been the dominant force in Bolivian politics for two decades, as well as an omnipresent public anxiety over the state of the economy.

On August 17, approximately 7.9 million Bolivians will cast their ballots to elect not only a new President and Vice President but also all 130 members of the Chamber of Deputies and all 36 members of the Senate. The stakes could not be higher. For a candidate to win office in the first round, they must secure more than 50% of the vote, or at least 40% with a 10-point lead over the second-place finisher. If these conditions are not met, a runoff election will be held on October 19 between the top two contenders. The winners of this electoral marathon will then be sworn into office on November 8, 2025, tasked with the monumental challenge of steering the country through its current crises.

The field of presidential and vice-presidential candidates is crowded and diverse, reflecting the fragmented political landscape. The following are the key contenders, along with their political affiliations and ideological leanings:

• Eduardo del Castillo (President) and Milan Berna (Vice President): Running for the Movimiento al Socialismo–Instrumento Político por la Soberanía de los Pueblos (MAS-IPSP), del Castillo is the current Minister of Government and the official successor to President Luis Arce. As the standard-bearer for the traditional left-wing MAS, this ticket represents the continuation of the party's socialist-leaning policies, albeit without the direct involvement of its former iconic leader, Evo Morales.
• Samuel Doria Medina (President) and José Luis Lupo (Vice President): A veteran of Bolivian politics, Doria Medina is running with the Unity Alliance, which includes the National Unity Front (UN) and We Believe (Creemos). As a center-right businessman and perennial presidential candidate, he is campaigning on a platform of economic stabilization, fiscal discipline, and a shift towards market-oriented policies. He is particularly focused on addressing the country's current economic woes, including high inflation and shortages of basic goods.
• Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga (President) and Juan Pablo Velasco (Vice President): A former President of Bolivia, Quiroga is the conservative candidate for the Liberty Alliance, a coalition that includes the Revolutionary Left Front (FRI) and the Social Democratic Movement (Demócratas). He is known for his firm stance on market reforms, judicial reform, and a strong anti-corruption platform. This ticket represents a more traditional conservative alternative to the MAS's long period in power.
• Andrónico Rodríguez (President) and Mariana Prado (Vice President): A left-of-center figure, Rodríguez is the current President of the Chamber of Senators and a former protégé of Evo Morales. He is running with the Popular Alliance (AP), a coalition of smaller left-wing parties. Many see this ticket as representing a new generation of the left, attempting to appeal to the MAS's traditional base while also distancing themselves from the party's internal conflicts and the more controversial aspects of Morales's legacy.
• Manfred Reyes Villa (President) and Juan Carlos Medrano (Vice President): The mayor of Cochabamba, Reyes Villa is a right-wing candidate running under the banner of Autonomy for Bolivia–Súmate (APB Súmate). He has built his campaign on a "law and order" message and has called for the use of the military to address political blockades and social unrest.
• Rodrigo Paz Pereira (President) and Edman Lara (Vice President): The son of former president Jaime Paz Zamora (1989 to 1993), a senator and former mayor of Tarija, Paz Pereira is the candidate for the Christian Democratic Party (PDC). His platform is generally considered to be centrist, appealing to a moderate voter base.
• Jhonny Fernández (President) and Felipe Quispe (Vice President): The current mayor of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Fernández is running with the Solidarity Civic Union (UCS) and Popular Original Movement (MOP). He and his running mate are seen as a centrist ticket.
• Pavel Aracena (President) and Victor Hugo Núñez del Prado (Vice President): An engineer, Aracena is running with the LYP-ADN alliance, which includes parties like Nationalist Democratic Action (ADN), the party founded by former president Hugo Banzer in the 1979.

The current political atmosphere in Bolivia is defined by a sense of profound uncertainty and voter fatigue. The bitter feud between President Arce and former president, Evo Morales, has not only fractured the MAS but has also contributed to a broader political malaise. With both Arce and Morales out of the race, the field is wide open, and no single ticket has managed to capture a decisive lead. Recent polls from firms such as Ipsos CIESMORI/UNITEL and Captura Consulting indicate that the race is a virtual dead heat. The leading contenders, Samuel Doria Medina and Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga, are both from the opposition, which is a stark departure from the past two decades of MAS dominance. However, their lead is not commanding, with their support often polling below 25%. A significant portion of the electorate remains undecided or plans to cast a blank or null vote, signaling a deep-seated frustration with all available political options. The ultimate outcome of this election, therefore, remains very much in the air, with a runoff election on October 19 appearing to be a near certainty.