One candidate is Rodrigo Paz, a conservative centrist senator and son of a neoliberal ex-president who is pitching himself as a moderate reformer. The other is former right-wing president Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga,

Now, on October 19, Bolivians will hold presidential runoff for the first time—an option only introduced in the 2009 Constitution. As voters prepare to pick their next president, AS/COA online looks at dark horse candidate Paz, the collapse of MAS, and the composition of the next national legislature.

The surprise frontrunner in Bolivia's presidential elections reportedly had his phone stolen on Sunday while giving a speech to supporters to celebrate his first-round victory. Centrist senator Rodrigo Paz topped Sunday's polls with 32% of the votes cast, although he did not receive a high enough share to secure an outright victory.

Evo Morales, Bolivia's former president, has expressed uncertainty about threats from right-wing presidential candidates to arrest him if they gain power.

Ex-President Morales is credited with lifting millions out of poverty. But his political ambitions divide the left.

A seismic political shift has taken place in Bolivia. The country’s leftist Movimiento al Socialismo (Mas) party, which has dominated Bolivian politics for nearly 20 years, was voted out of power in a general election on August 17.

Former Bolivian president Evo Morales has launched a campaign for a contender called “Nulo,” representing a null-and-void vote.

Evo Morales was credited with lifting millions out of poverty and nurturing a growing middle class. But now Bolivia appears to be shifting rightward.