Bolivia
Bolivia exhibits mid-range performance in all categories of the Global State of Democracy framework. It performs among the top 25 per cent of countries globally in Civic Engagement and Electoral Participation. Over the past five years, it experienced significant improvement in Credible Elections, Freedom of Expression and Freedom of the Press. Bolivia is a lower middle income country with an economy depends on the export of gas and minerals.
Several Indigenous peoples inhabited Bolivia prior to Spanish rule (mainly Aymara and Quechua people at the time of colonization). Bolivia gained its independence from Spain in 1825, after which it experienced economic crisis and political instability, marked by military ‘coups’ and ‘countercoups’ and the influence of local strongmen. The early 20th century brought a commodity boom fueled by tin production, but poverty and inequality remained, leading to the 1952 Revolution, which brought about universal suffrage, a major agrarian reform, nationalization of key industries, and prospects for economic growth and social justice. In 1964, another coup ended the revolutionary government, and instability followed (1964-1982), marked by an alternation between civil and military governments. Despite transitioning to democracy in 1982, poverty, social inequality and the marginalization of Indigenous and Afro-Bolivian populations remained unresolved.
Most Bolivians (68 per cent) self-identify as Mestizo (mixed White and Amerindian), 20 per cent as Indigenous, and also include Chola, Black and White minorities. The Indigenous population, has faced structural discrimination. When Evo Morales, the first Indigenous president of Bolivia, took office in 2006, he facilitated structural reforms aimed at achieving racial equality, including a new constitution in 2009 that created a ‘plurinational state’, recognizing the country’s diversity and its 36 different Indigenous peoples. Still, Indigenous peoples continue to be marginalized and particularly impacted by the exploitation of natural and mineral resources in the regions in which they live.
Under Morales, state control of the economy deepened (including the nationalization of energy and communications companies) and executive power was concentrated. After serious irregularities during the 2019 elections, Morales resigned and left the country. A period of crisis followed, marked by protests for and against the government, leaving dozens killed and hundreds wounded.
Currently, division within the Movimiento al Socialismo Party (MAS) and confrontation between branches of government have dominated Bolivian politics. A Constitutional Court ruling that disqualified the former president from running in the 2025 elections sparked tensions within MAS, as well as with the legislature. A delay in holding judicial elections also contributed to confrontation between branches of government. An apparent coup attempt in June 2024, claims of selective prosecution against the former president, political violence and a deeply fractured left, have further compounded political instability.
Bolivia has made important progress in women’s participation, with the 2009 Constitution establishing equality between women and men, laws on violence against women and one of the highest rates of female representation in parliament globally. However, systemic issues, such as the unequal distribution of resources and economic participation, along with gender-based violence continue to exist. Same-sex civil unions are recognized under Bolivian law and some protections to combat discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community exist.
Polarization within MAS and with the fragmented opposition has increasingly featured in society, as has the open confrontation between branches of government. As such, Representation, and Rule of Law, particularly Judicial Independence, should be closely monitored.
Last Updated: July 2025
https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/
August 2025
General elections are held, presidential race heads to runoff
On 17 August, Bolivians voted for president, vice-president and members of the legislature.
Candidates Rodrigo Paz of the Christian Democrat Party (PDC) and former President Jorge Tuto Quiroga of the LIBRE (Liberty and Democracy) alliance will head to a runoff in October, after receiving 32.1 and 26.7 per cent of the votes, respectively. Voter turnout was 86.9 per cent (a slight decrease from the 88.4 of the previous elections), with mandatory voting.
The PDC obtained the most seats (65 out of 166) in the Chamber of Deputies. Women’s representation slightly increased in the Chamber of Deputies, reaching parity (compared to the previous 46. 2 per cent), and in the Senate women are expected to maintain a majority.
International observation missions highlighted that elections took place in an overall orderly and peaceful manner, but noted the political polarization, the spread of disinformation and unequal access of candidates to media time in the pre-election phase.
Sources: Organo Electoral Plurinacional, BBC, CNN, AP, OAS, Bolivia Verifica Elecciones, EU Election Observation Mission
Women’s representation in Legislative Assembly reaches record high
Bolivians elected a record number of women in the general elections held on 17 August. An estimated 52.4 per cent of the Legislative Assembly’s seats will be held by women. The Chamber of Deputies will have 66 women lawmakers (out of 130 seats), representing 50.7 per cent (up from the previous 46.2 per cent). Women in the Senate will hold 21 out of the 36 seats (58.3 per cent), an increase from the previous 55.6 per cent.
Sources: La Razon, Bolivia Verifica Elecciones
December 2024
After year of delay, judicial elections partially take place
On 15 December, judicial elections were held for members of the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, Agro-Environmental Tribunal, and the Council of Magistrates. However, only 19 out of the 26 judgeships were on the ballots. The election of the remaining offices was postponed, after the Fourth Chamber of the Constitutional Court granted injunctions in the selection process of candidates for certain judicial offices in response to legal actions initiated by individuals who wished to stand as candidates. The magistrates of the Fourth Chamber were widely criticized, given that the injunctions resulted in the indefinite extension of their mandates, as their own offices were among those affected by the injunctions. Opposition politicians have also called this an attempt to retain power to favour the ruling party and persecute opponents. Participation was close to 70 per cent (voting is mandatory), with a high percentage of spoiled and blank ballots at 37 per cent. Out of a total of 19 elected judges, nine are women.
Sources: Órgano Electoral Plurinacional, Infobae, El Pais
November 2024
Tribunal gives control of MAS to ‘Arcista’ wing
On 14 November, a Chamber of the Constitutional Tribunal recognized Grover Garcia, an ally of President Luis Arce, as head of the Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS) party. Division within MAS, stemming from a power struggle between former President Evo Morales and Arce, led the party to hold competing assemblies, one in which Morales was chosen as the party’s leader and a second in which ‘Arcistas’ gained leadership positions. The Chamber confirmed the validity of the assembly held by Arce loyalists, taking control of the party from its founder, Morales, despite previous rulings of the Electoral Tribunal that determined both factions had violated the party’s statutes. In a separate ruling it confirmed Morales’s ineligibility to run for president, vice-president or preside the legislature's chambers because he has exceeded the constitutional limit of 10 years as president. Demonstrations in support of Morales continued, with some reports of violence and with Morales temporarily going on hunger strike. Whether Morales continues to call for mobilizations and to seek elected office, remains to be seen.
Sources: Educación Radiofónica de Bolivia, La Razón, El Pais
October 2024
Evo Morales accuses government of assassination attempt
Former President Evo Morales has accused the government of attempting to assassinate him after his vehicle was attacked with gunfire in Cochabamba. Luis Arce’s government refuted this, contending that Morales’s vehicle evaded a checkpoint established in a police operation and ran over a police officer. Officials asserted that police at the checkpoint were shot first by someone in Morales’s vehicle. The mutual accusations take place in the context of heightened political and social conflict due to division within the MAS party. Both Morales and Arce have been accused of sexual misconduct and crimes; both deny the allegations and claim they are politically motivated. A prosecutor issued an arrest warrant against Morales after he did not comply with an order to give a statement in an investigation he faces for statutory rape and trafficking in persons. Morales’s supporters have carried out roadblocks and organized protests against his prosecution. Clashes between protesters and police have left dozens injured.
Sources: Infobae, Reuters, France 24, BBC, El Pais, The Guardian
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