The country’s upcoming election on Sunday, 18 August 2025, may bring a right‑wing government to the presidency for the first time in twenty years.
El contexto electoral
The general election in Bolivia scheduled for 18 August 2025 is poised to become a turning point. After nearly two decades of left governance, the right coalition finds itself in a position to challenge the status quo for the first time since 2007.
La derecha regresa al escenario
Former president Carlos Mesa will be the flag‑bearer of the right‑wing coalition, having garnered a robust national base during the 2019 campaign. Mesa’s platform focuses on economic liberalization, tax reform, and a promise to curb public spending that has been a source of fiscal pressure for years.
La izquierda y su nueva propuesta
With the current president Luis Arce barred from running again by the Bolivian constitution, the left coalition, also known as Juntos Podemos, has nominated a fresh face. The opposition base remains strong among indigenous communities and in the highlands, where the MAS party’s social policies maintain a loyal following.
Factores que impulsan la segunda vuelta
According to recent analyses, several conditions could push Bolivia towards a runoff:
- Strong polarization between left and right ideologies.
- Historically low voter turnout driven by public disillusionment.
- Economic instability reflected in soaring inflation, a sharp rise in bread prices, and continued unemployment.
El panorama económico
The country has been grappling with a severe crisis in 2023 and 2024, as food prices surged and the inflation rate surpassed 30 %. The price of a standard loaf of bread has increased by approximately 25 % in the last year, according to national statistics, exacerbating social tensions and fueling anti‑establishment sentiment.
Conclusión
With the stakes higher than ever, the 2025 electoral contest will decide whether the right‑wing coalition can capture the presidency and whether Bolivia will need a second round to break from its two‑decade-left rule.