Centrist senator Rodrigo Paz won Bolivia’s presidency with 54.5% in Sunday’s runoff, defeating conservative Jorge Quiroga on 45.5%, as preliminary results deemed "irreversible" by electoral chief Oscar Hassenteufel. He takes office November 8, ending two decades largely dominated by the MAS, which collapsed to just over 3% in August’s first round. Facing inflation above 23% and depleted reserves, Paz vows "capitalism for all," pledging to keep social programs while spurring private investment, rebuild ties with the US, trim a double-digit fiscal deficit by easing fuel subsidies, and seek congressional deals from a minority position.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.