Bolivian Senator Risks Losing Seat Over Party Defection

La Paz, Bolivia – May 22, 2025 – A significant political development has unfolded in Bolivia as Andrónico Rodríguez, a senator for the Movement Towards Socialism – Instrumental Political Social Party (MAS-IPSP), faces the potential loss of his seat. This comes after he announced his candidacy with the Movimiento Tercer Sistema (MTS), a separate political party. Tahuichi Tahuichi, an electoral official, confirmed this, stating that "by running with another political group, he incurs in political defection." Tahuichi explained that under Bolivian law, specifically Article 39 of Law 1096, the Senate seat belongs to the party, not the individual. Therefore, Rodríguez's move could lead to his removal from office. This situation highlights the complexities of Bolivian electoral law and adds another layer to the already intense political climate leading up to the upcoming elections. The outcome of this legal interpretation remains to be seen, and its impact on the political landscape will undoubtedly be significant.