Bolivia Bars MTS from Presidential Race: 2026 Elections Remain Open

Bolivia's TSE bars MTS from August 17 Presidential Elections LA PAZ, BOLIVIA – June 4, 2025 – The Movimiento Tercer Sistema (MTS) party has been barred from participating in Bolivia's upcoming presidential elections scheduled for August 17, 2025. The decision was confirmed by the Tribunal Supremo Electoral (TSE), Bolivia's highest electoral authority. The TSE cited unmet requirements as the reason for the exclusion. The ruling has significant implications for the political landscape, particularly for supporters of the MTS party. According to RTP Bolivia, a prominent Bolivian news outlet, the TSE's decision stems from the MTS party's failure to fulfill certain legal requirements set forth by the electoral body. One of the key issues appears to be the party's failure to properly register its leadership and fulfill other formal requirements. "The TSE's ruling is a major setback for the MTS," commented an unnamed political analyst in the RTP video report. "This will undoubtedly affect their ability to compete effectively in the upcoming elections." Despite the setback, the MTS party still has the option to participate in the 2026 subnational elections. The TSE's decision underscores the importance of adhering to strict legal requirements for political participation in Bolivia. The situation highlights the ongoing complexities of the Bolivian political system and the challenges faced by smaller political parties.