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Weekly Report - 21 August 2025 (WR-25-33)

Bolivia swings to the right with MAS left shattered

Bolivia’s first round of general elections on 17 August produced a sea change in the country, where for a generation politics has been dominated by the left. Two conservative presidential candidates have advanced to the 19 October second round, and the winner will benefit from a congress controlled by right-of-centre parties. The ruling left-wing Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS) narrowly avoided total obliteration and is in no position to resist a roll-back of its socialist model. Nevertheless, it is unlikely to be plain sailing for the next government. As well as inheriting a dire economy, any moves to cut spending or privatise state companies are likely to be opposed on the streets by supporters of former president Evo Morales (2006-2019), who in a sign of their radicalisation spoiled their ballots in large numbers in protest at his exclusion from the race.

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