Iran Lauds Successful Presidential Election in Bolivia

In a statement on Monday night, Esmaeil Baqaei wished the Bolivian president-elect the best of luck.

He also stressed the unfaltering friendly relations and strengthening of bonds between Iran and Bolivia on the basis of mutual respect and shared interest, specifically in the scientific, cultural and healthcare sectors.

Rodrigo Paz won Bolivia’s presidential runoff on Sunday, defeating conservative rival Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga, as the country’s worst economic crisis in a generation helped propel the end of nearly two decades of leftist rule.

Paz, a senator from the Christian Democratic Party, won 54.5% of the vote, beating Quiroga’s 45.5%.

The new president, 58, will take office on November 8./tasnim