Bolivian Electoral Court Suspends Andronico Rodriguez’s Presidential Candidacy
Andronico Rodriguez (C) and his running mate, Mariana Prado, heading to the TSE headquarters. Photo: APG
May 21, 2025 Hour: 1:30 pm
The future of his candidacy depends on a ruling on the legal status of a party that is part of his movement.
Amid the registration of candidates for the August elections, Bolivia’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) suspended the presidential candidacy of Andronico Rodriguez, who is backed by the Popular Alliance.
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On May 18, Rodriguez, who serves as president of the Bolivian Senate, was confirmed as a candidate by the Popular Alliance, a leftist coalition made up of the Third System Movement (MTS), the Revolutionary Socialist Party (PSR) and the Autonomous Movement for Work and Hope (MATE). The announcement was made by MTS leader Felix Patzi.
Although the TSE received the Popular Alliance’s list of candidates, electoral authorities suspended the registration of all candidates from this coalition pending a ruling by the First Constitutional Chamber of the Beni department on whether the movement is eligible to participate in the election.
Previously, the Constitutional Chamber admitted a legal challenge filed by a citizen seeking to annul the MTS’s legal status. The plaintiff alleges that MTS is in violation of TSE resolutions amid an internal leadership dispute between Patzi and his ex-wife, Maziel Terrazas.
The chamber is expected to hold a hearing on the matter Thursday, which will determine whether the Popular Alliance can move forward with its registration. Mariana Prado is also part of the leftist coalition as a candidate for vice president.
Amid speculation over a potential political maneuver to disqualify him, Rodriguez called for “a permanent vigil and unity from the popular movement in defense of democracy, free participation, and the people’s right to decide at the ballot box—rights that cannot be subject to a political decision by a chamber or an electoral official.”
On Tuesday, TSE official Tahuichi Quispe warned that Rodriguez may be engaging in political defection and that his original party, the Movement Towards Socialismo (MAS), could claim the Senate seat he currently holds. According to Article 39 of Law 1096 on Political Organizations, the seat belongs to the party, not the individual, Quispe said, noting that the law prohibits candidates from switching parties without following established procedures.
During the swearing-in of new Interior Minister Roberto Rios, Bolivian President Luis Arce warned that certain groups may attempt to destabilize the election process. However, he expressed confidence that the Bolivian people would thwart such efforts.
Former Interior Minister Eduardo del Castillo has been registered as MAS’s presidential candidate, alongside Milan Berna as his running mate. It was also confirmed that MAS registered Arce as its lead Senate candidate for the department of La Paz.
teleSUR/ JF
Sources: Correo del Sur – Erbol