La Paz -A little over a month of the presidential elections that could mark a new political course in Bolivia and with former President Evo Morales (2006-2019) out of the raceneither the fractured ruling nor the divided opposition seems to convince the tired voters of the economic crisis and disenchanted with the government of almost two decades of socialism movement (more)according to surveys.
Fuel and inflation scarcity, the biggest problems
He Fuel shortage is one of the situations that are hitting the most To the Bolivians. The State – the only importer – has a lack of liquidity to buy the product. It is currently acquired abroad 70% of gasoline and 85% of the diesel consumed.
The impact on everyday life is mainly seen in food transport and production, which in turn triggered the prices of the basic basket while the fiscal deficit borders 10% of the gross domestic product.
Paradoxically, a liter of gasoline costs less than a bottle of water because the fuel is subsidized. A liter is worth almost 60 cents to the official change.
“From the previous elections I don’t want to remember,” Juan Associated Press Juan Quispe told The Associated Press while he row to load his public transport vehicle. “A week I lose two days in the tail.”
Meanwhile, the accumulated inflation between January and May reached 9.81%, the highest since 2008. Housewives make long lines to buy food whose prices have shot themselves as rice, oil, sugar and trifulcas between customers to acquire them.
“Before with 300 Bolivians (about 42 dollars) bought everything for a month, now it does not reach me for 15 days. Every day prices upload,” complained to the AP the housewife Catalina Lima.
Meanwhile, the shortage of dollars in the hands of the State, as the authorities explained, has also doubled the price of imported medicines and public hospitals face shortage.
Without visible winners, the undecided have the word
Samuel Doria Medina, 66, businessman and former planning minister during the presidency of Jaime Paz (1989-1993), first march, followed closely by former right-wing president (2001-2002) Jorge Tuto Quiroga, 65. None reaches 25% of voting intention, according to polls.
The third in the race is the president of the Senate, Andrónico Rodríguez, 36, Pupil de Morales from whom he turned away and postulates by a dissident party of the ruler Movement to Socialism (more) called Popular Alliance.
The three most important surveys – from private television chains Red Unitel and the newspaper El duty – coincide with this scenario, so the undecided votes that are around 20% could settle the contest.
“It does not seem that there will be a clear winner, so the surveys say. The new government will not have enough strength to face vital reforms,” the analyst and university professor at the Public University of La Paz, Carlos Cordero, told the AP.
For the expert Gonzalo Chávez, professor of economics at the Bolivian Catholic University, “people are waiting for solutions and without a clear winner there will be governance problems to face urgent economic adjustments.”
The candidate Doria Medina has proposed to stabilize the economy by reducing the expensive fuel subsidy, resolve the illiquidity of dollars in 100 days and open the country to investments.
Quiroga proposes an international stabilization program with financing of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, a severe adjustment of the expense to reduce the deficit and attract investment. Both promoted liberal reforms in the 90s. Both promoted privatizations and liberal reforms in the 90s that promise to reissue.
Meanwhile, Rodríguez speaks of austerity to lower the deficit and still did not present a clear plan about it.
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Bolivia’s economic and political landscape is at a pivotal moment, as the upcoming presidential elections approach amidst critically important challenges. The following table offers a snapshot of the key issues at play:
Bolivia’s Electoral Crossroads: Key Issues at a Glance
Table of Contents
| Issue | Description | Impact | Candidate Proposals (examples) |
|---|---|---|---|
| fuel Scarcity | Bolivia faces difficulties importing sufficient fuel. The state relies on imports for 70% of gasoline and 85% of diesel. | Disrupts transportation,increases food prices,contributes too fiscal deficit. Long queues and price spikes are affecting daily life. | Doria Medina: Reduce fuel subsidies. Quiroga: N/A. Rodríguez: N/A. |
| Inflation | Accumulated inflation between January and May reached 9.81%, the highest since 2008. | Erodes purchasing power, especially impacting the cost of food and essential goods. | Doria Medina: Open the country to investments. Quiroga: Fiscal Adjustments. Rodríguez: Austerity Plan. |
| Dollar Shortage | The government is facing shortages of U.S. dollars. | The price of imported medicines have doubled and public hospitals are experiencing medicine shortages. | Doria Medina: Resolve dollar illiquidity in 100 days. Quiroga: N/A. Rodríguez: N/A. |
| Political Polarization | Fractured ruling party and divided opposition,with former president Evo Morales out of the race. | Voter fatigue, high levels of undecided voters (around 20%), and the lack of a consensus candidate exacerbate the situation. | The front runners,Doria Medina and Quiroga have not reached 25% of voting intention according to polls. rodríguez’s strategy has not been clearly defined. |
Note: Figures and timelines are subject to change based on ongoing developments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
This section provides answers to common questions about the economic and political climate in Bolivia:
What makes the upcoming Bolivian elections so important?
The elections come at a critical juncture, with Bolivia grappling with economic challenges like fuel shortages, inflation, and dollar scarcity. The outcome could reshape the country’s political course and influence its economic policies for years to come.
Who are the main candidates and what do they propose?
Key figures include Samuel Doria Medina, Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga, and Andrónico Rodríguez. Doria Medina proposes measures to stabilize the economy, including reducing fuel subsidies and attracting investments. Quiroga suggests an international stabilization program with IMF and World Bank financing, while Rodriguez promotes austerity.
Why are fuel shortages a significant issue?
the government’s difficulty in importing fuel results in long queues, increased prices, and impacts on food transport, further exacerbating economic strain. The crisis points to underlying economic vulnerabilities, as the state struggles to secure a reliable supply of gasoline and diesel.
How is inflation affecting the average Bolivian?
With a high inflation rate, the cost of essential goods is rising sharply, diminishing purchasing power. This has lead to economic hardship and heightened concerns among Bolivian families.Increased prices of essential goods such as rice,oil,and sugar is affecting daily life.
What is the role of the “undecided” voters in these elections?
With a significant percentage of voters still undecided, their voting intentions could ultimately decide the election’s outcome. The ability of candidates to sway these voters with their proposals could determine the new government’s mandate and ability to enact reforms.
Further Reading: For more in-depth analysis, please refer to the referenced AP News articles and other reputable news sources.
