The Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS) also known as socialist party, which has dominated Bolivian politics for nearly two decades, has suffered a significant defeat in the recent general election.
The party’s presidential candidate garnered a mere 3.16% of the vote, barely surpassing the 3% threshold required to maintain eligibility.
This dismal performance has left MAS on the precipice of extinction, with preliminary estimates suggesting the party will be reduced to a single member in the lower house and no senators.
Ronnyxh Oliver Mamani Figueredo, a 34-year-old Aymara carpenter and pharmacy owner, exemplifies the disillusionment among MAS’s traditional supporters.
Figueredo, who owns a seven-story, Knights of the Zodiac-themed “cholet” valued at over $1 million, voted for the center-right business tycoon Samuel Doria Medina instead of MAS.
“The majority of cholet owners I speak to no longer support Mas,” Figueredo stated. Ramiro Sirpa, a sculptor of giant fiberglass statues adorning the cholets, echoed this sentiment: “The cholet owners tell me that at the start of Mas’s government, they were doing well, but in recent times, it has been total disappointment.”
Analysts attribute MAS’s downfall to various factors, including the party’s failure to diversify Bolivia’s economy beyond natural gas exports, corruption scandals, and authoritarian tendencies.
Gonzalo Chávez Álvarez noted that many Indigenous businessmen, despite being seen as MAS’s natural constituency, were never socialists and instead followed a “popular, cutthroat capitalism.” Once MAS began to hinder business interests, support evaporated.
The election’s outcome has set the stage for a runoff vote between two right-wing candidates: Senator Rodrigo Paz Pereira and former President Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga.
Paz Pereira’s campaign focused on anti-corruption and pragmatic stabilization, resonating with voters who seek change.
Daniel Valverde, a political analyst, observed, “Mas has been knocked out. But it was the obstinate fratricidal war between Morales and President Luis Arce that destroyed them.”
The schism within MAS, fueled by the rift between Morales and Arce, has contributed significantly to the party’s decline. Morales’s attempt to run for a fourth term in 2019 sparked violent protests, leading to his resignation and departure from the country.
Upon his return, Morales clashed with Arce, ultimately splitting the party. The recent election saw Morales call on his supporters to cast blank votes, which reached an unprecedented 19%, further weakening MAS’s chances.
As Bolivia prepares for the runoff election, the future of the country’s politics hangs in the balance.
The next president will face significant challenges, including addressing the economic crisis, reforming the justice system, and navigating the complex relationships with international partners.
The outcome will determine whether Bolivia continues down a path of economic instability or embarks on a new trajectory of growth and development.