MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Bolivian elections: Other candidates face registration problems after Evo

Andrónico Rodríguez has called for public vigilance to protect democratic participation

Bolivia's Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) has suspended the approval of Senate Speaker Andrónico Rodríguez's candidacy as well as those of other would-be contenders on behalf of the leftist Alianza Popular movement, pending a constitutional ruling on the legal status of the Third System Movement (MTS), a party within the alliance.

The TSE's decision stems from an appeal challenging the MTS's legal personality due to an internal leadership dispute. TSE Magistrate Tahuichi Tahuichi Quispe warned that Rodríguez, who reached the upper house on a ticket from the ruling Movement Towards Socialism (MAS), may face accusations of political transfugio (party-switching), risking his seat.

Andrónico Rodríguez was confirmed last Sunday as the presidential candidate for Alianza Popular, which includes the Third System Movement (MTS), the Revolutionary Socialist Party (PSR), and the Autonomist Movement of Work and Hope (MATE), with Mariana Prado as his running mate.

Political transfugio (also known as political turncoating or party-switching) refers to the act of a politician abandoning the political party under which they were elected to join or represent another party, often without resigning their current position. Under Bolivia's Law 1096 of Political Organizations, Article 39, seats belong to the party, not the individual. Switching parties without following established procedures can be considered transfugio, potentially leading to sanctions such as the loss of the politician's seat.

In this context, a hearing to decide on the MTS's status is scheduled for Thursday. Rodríguez has called for “a permanent vigil and unity to the whole popular movement, in defense of democracy, free participation and the right of the people to decide in the ballot box, which cannot be subject to a political decision of a court or a member” while President Luis Arce Catacora denounced efforts to disrupt the upcoming August 2025 elections.

During the swearing in of the new Minister of Government (Interior), Roberto Ríos, he warned that many groups “are going to want to destabilize, who do not want the elections to take place.” Ríos took over from Eduardo del Castillo, who was registered as the MAS' presidential contender alongside Milán Berna. Arce will run for the Senate from the department of La Paz.

This new episode follows Tuesday's report on the failed attempt by former President Evo Morales to register his candidacy. (See: Evo unable to register candidacy for August elections )