Rodrigo Paz Pereiraa 57-year-old economist and senator, was elected president of Bolivia with the 54.55% of the votesafter a campaign in which he presented himself as a moderate leader who was close to the citizens. Son of the former president Jaime Paz Zamorahis story combines political lineage, international training and a life crossed by exile and militancy.
Born on September 22, 1967 in Santiago de Compostela, Spainduring her parents’ exile, Paz Pereira grew up amidst moves and threats linked to her family’s political activity. He spent his childhood in at least ten different countriesan experience that, according to himself, shaped his commitment to the most neglected sectors of Bolivia.
Formed as economist and graduate in International Relationsgot a master’s degree in Political Management in the American University of the United States. He began his public career in 2002 as congressman for Tarijathen it was councilor and mayor of that city between 2010 and 2020, and currently served as national senator for Citizen Community.
During the campaign, Paz Pereira presented himself as an alternative to technocratic profiles, such as that of Jorge Quirogaand bet on a message from proximity to peopleprioritizing dialogue and institutional reconstruction. His speech appealed to a orderly transitioncapable of gathering support from different sectors, even from former voters of the Movement to Socialism (MAS)who sought a change without radical fractures.
His figure, however, is not free of controversy: he was the subject of complaints about financial irregularities during his time in Congress and corruption accusations during his tenure as mayor of Tarija. Even so, his victory reflects the desire of Bolivians for a moderate leadershipthat combines political experience, management capacity and stability after years of polarization.
With his election, Bolivia begins a new stage in which Paz Pereira promises national reconciliation, sustainable growth and openness to dialoguein a country that seeks balance between its historical roots and the challenges of the future.
Elections in Bolivia: Rodrigo Paz won the runoff and will be the next president
The preliminary result of the ballot released by the Supreme Electoral Court (TSE) of Bolivia gave Rodrigo Paz Pereira the winnercandidate of the Christian Democratic Party (PDC), with 54%, surpassing the former conservative president Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga, from Libre, which at the moment registers 45% of the votes.
The significance of this Sunday’s election is twofold: it is the first time that the country defines its leadership by a runoff and it will mark the end of two decades of party government. FURTHER, led by Evo Morales. Whatever the result, neither of the two candidates had a chance of having a legislative majority in Congress. Thus, Paz will have to have a coalition administration until 2030.
The president of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, Oscar Hassenteufelstated that the participation of voters in the runoff was between 85% and 89% and maintained that the exact figure will be known in the coming days.
The vice presidential candidate Edmand Lara, He was the first to react to the results and highlighted: “Today the people give us the opportunity to govern Bolivia for everyone, I call for unity and reconciliation of Bolivians“, he stated. “The political campaign is over, we must work for Bolivia, the country comes first”he added.
Source: Ambito
