In the high-altitude city of El Alto, Bolivia, stark bare-brick buildings line the streets, but amidst them, vibrant and extravagant structures known as "cholets" stand tall, each adorned with pop culture icons like Batman and Iron Man.

These colorful edifices were once seen as symbols of a burgeoning Aymara bourgeoisie, flourishing during the natural gas boom that accompanied Evo Morales's administration—Bolivia's first Indigenous president. However, the tide has turned, and these very buildings now represent the drastic decline of the leftist Movimiento al Socialismo (Mas). What was once hegemony is now teetering on the brink of collapse.

In a shocking revelation from the recent elections, Mas’s presidential candidate garnered a mere 3.16% of the vote, narrowly surpassing the 3% threshold necessary to remain politically viable.

A Changing Political Landscape

Bolivia now braces for a runoff election featuring two right-wing contenders: Senator Rodrigo Paz Pereira and former President Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga. This political shakeup marks a stark contrast to Mas’s earlier triumphs, where they held two-thirds of Congress. Early estimates indicate that Mas may only retain one seat in the lower house and no senators.

Ronnyxh Oliver Mamani Figueredo, a 34-year-old Aymara carpenter and cholet owner, poignantly illustrates this shift. Once a supporter of Mas, he's now turned to the right after enduring significant economic challenges, forced to slash rental costs on his cholet’s event hall.

Frustration Among the Business Class

Like Figueredo, many cholet owners whose fortunes peaked in the early days of Mas now openly express their disappointment. Ramiro Sirpa, a renowned sculptor known for the grand fibreglass statues that adorn these buildings, echoes similar sentiments, noting that disillusionment with the party is widespread.

Analysts argue that while Mas facilitated significant social advancements, they failed to pivot during critical market shifts, notably as Bolivia's natural gas reserves dwindled and economic crises deepened. The party's downturn can be traced through numerous corruption scandals and authoritarian antics that shattered public trust.

The Downfall of Evo Morales

Mas’s demise has been greatly affected by internal turmoil, particularly between Evo Morales and current President Luis Arce. Morales’s pursuit of a fourth term in 2019, deemed unconstitutional, sparked nationwide protests that culminated in his resignation.

After a turbulent 2020 election that brought Arce to power, divisions within the party widened. Morales’s attempts to reclaim influence were thwarted, leading to a public fracture that has left the party fragmented.

Accusations and Allegations

The situation escalated with resurfacing accusations against Morales regarding a statutory rape case, further complicating his political narrative. As he remains holed up in the coca-growing region of Chapare, protected by supporters, the pressure mounts on the Bolivian government.

Recently, President Arce reflected on the delicate balance of law enforcement and public safety, implying that risking lives for Morales’s arrest may not be worth it.

The Future of Mas

Strikingly, Morales’s call for supporters to cast blank votes resulted in a startling 19%, eclipsing previous averages. This dissatisfaction is palpable in regions like Cochabamba and El Alto, where traditionally Mas had a stronghold.

Analysts suggest that Paz Pereira’s outreach to grassroots Bolivia—workers, artisans, and agriculturalists—has reshaped the political narrative, challenging the once-dominant Mas for these crucial votes.

As Mas confronts a precarious future, it stands at a crossroads: reinvent itself or risk fading into obscurity. The party’s long-ignored need for self-reflection and accountability may prove essential to reclaiming its once-dominant stature.