On Sunday, October 19, 2025, Bolivia held its first-ever presidential runoff to decide the country’s new leader.

Senator and former mayor of Tarija, Rodrigo Paz Pereira of the Christian Democratic Party (PDC), won with 54.6% of the vote against Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga from the Libre Alliance, who received 45.4%, according to preliminary results from the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE). 

In his first speech as president-elect, Paz emphasized unity and the country’s recovery: “From this victory, we extend a hand to govern with all those who love the homeland (…) Ideology does not feed people; what feeds people is the right to work, legal security, respect for private property, and certainty for our future.”

Quiroga congratulated his opponent, highlighting respect for the Sirepre (Preliminary Results System) outcomes: “Congratulations to Rodrigo Paz, I wish him the best in his administration.”

Outgoing President Luis Arce also praised the historic event: “I congratulate Rodrigo Paz Pereira, the president-elect in a historic second-round election held for the first time in Bolivia and wish him the greatest success in his government.” 

Rodrigo Paz: career and election figures

Rodrigo Paz Pereira will officially assume the presidency on November 8, 2025. Born in Santiago de Compostela, Galicia (Spain), and son of former president Jaime Paz Zamora, Paz led in the first round with 32.1% of votes.

His strategy focused on attracting progressive voters by moderating his rhetoric and presenting himself as a viable option for left-leaning citizens. Key proposals include tax reform, creation of a Currency Stabilization Fund, liberalization of foreign trade, and expansion of universal social benefits. 

The runoff also revealed that the next government will lack a congressional majority. Both Paz and Quiroga will need to negotiate alliances and build consensus to govern.

Over 7.5 million Bolivians were eligible to vote in the Elections, including 369,000 abroad. Argentina had the highest number of eligible Bolivian voters: 162,531, nearly half of the overseas electorate, followed by Spain, Peru, Chile, and the United States. Turnout in the runoff was significant, with over 6.5 million votes cast, 94.6% of which were valid. 

This historic runoff marks a milestone for Bolivian democracy, consolidating a transparent electoral process and an orderly transfer of power after decades of political and social challenges in the Andean nation.