Polls & Research

Morales Would Defeat Quiroga in Bolivia

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Evo Morales of the Movement to Socialism (MAS) is still the top candidate in Bolivia's presidential campaign, according to a poll by Apoyo, Opinión y Mercado. 36 per cent of respondents would vote for indigenous leader in this month's election, up two points since October.

Former head of state Jorge Quiroga of We Can (Podemos) is second with 30 per cent, followed by Samuel Doria Medina of the National Unity Front (FUN) with 12 per cent, and Michiaki Nagatani of the Nationalist Revolutionary Movement (MNR) with eight per cent.

The remaining presidential candidates are Felipe Quispe of the Indigenous Pachakuti Movement (MIP), Gildo Angulo of the New Republican Force (NFR), Néstor García of the Bolivian Workers Social Union (USTB) and Eliseo Rodríguez 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.

On Nov. 2, the election was re-scheduled for Dec. 18 after a deal was reached to finalize the regional allocation of legislative seats. A constituent assembly and a referendum on the current division of powers would take place in July 2006.

Yesterday, Quiroga ruled out any type of post-election deal with Morales, declaring, "We have very clear differences with the MAS in topics such as the fight against drugs and trade. We will only discuss agreements with political parties that advocate for a real change."

In accordance with the Bolivian constitution, lawmakers in the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate select the president from the top two finishers in the event no candidate garners more than 50 per cent of the vote.

Polling Data

If these candidates ran for president, which one would you support?