October 14, 2005

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Scan) - Television reporter María René Duchén is the top running mate for voters in Bolivia, according to a poll by Apoyo, Opinión y Mercado published in La Razón. 33 per cent of respondents say the We Can (Podemos) candidate is their favourite vice-presidential nominee.

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Television reporter María René Duchén is the top running mate for voters in Bolivia, according to a poll by Apoyo, Opinión y Mercado published in La Razón. 33 per cent of respondents say the We Can (Podemos) candidate is their favourite vice-presidential nominee.

Álvaro García Linera of the Movement to Socialism (MAS) is second with 19 per cent, followed by Carlos Dabdoud of the National Unity Front (FUN) with 15 per cent, Guillermo Bedregal of the Nationalist Revolutionary Movement (MNR) and Gonzalo Quiroga of the New Republican Force (NFR) with two per cent each, and Camila Choquetijlla of the Indigenous Pachakuti Movement (MIP) with one per cent. The other vice-presidential candidates are Teodomiro Rangel of the Bolivian Workers Social Union (USTB) and Irma Encinas of the Bolivian Farming Patriotic Front (FREPAB).

In June, a series of demonstrations calling for the nationalization of the hydrocarbon industry and constitutional amendments forced the resignation of interim president Carlos Mesa. Former chief justice of the Supreme Court Eduardo Rodríguez became the country's head of state, promising to hold a presidential election before the end of the year.

In July, Rodríguez signed a decree to schedule a presidential and legislative ballot for Dec. 4, following the passage of the electoral timetable by the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. A constituent assembly and a referendum on the current division of powers would take place in July 2006.

On Sept. 3, former head of state Jorge Quiroga announced Duchén would be his vice-presidential nominee. MAS candidate Evo Morales has topped the three most recent voting intention polls, followed by Quiroga and Doria Medina. The president and vice-president are chosen on the same ticket.

Polling Data

Who is your favourite vice-presidential candidate?

María René Duchén (Podemos)	33%
Álvaro García Linera (MAS)	19%
Carlos Dabdoud (FUN)	15%
Guillermo Bedregal (MNR)	2%
Gonzalo Quiroga (NFR)	2%
Camila Choquetijlla (MIP)	1%
None	18%
Not sure	10%

Source: Apoyo, Opinión y Mercado / La Razón
Methodology: Interviews to 2,150 adult Bolivians in the cities of La Paz, El Alto, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz, and in the rural areas of Guaqui, Clisa and Porongo, conducted from Sept. 9 to Sept. 15, 2005. Margin of error is 3.5 per cent.