We had the plasure of taking part in a broad public discussion in La Paz that explored the factors shaping Bolivia’s 2026 subnational elections, the final stage of the country’s extended 2025–2026 electoral cycle. The event formed part of the “Conversations on Democracy” series jointly organised by the Ombudsman’s Office and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES), an initiative dedicated to open, pluralistic debate on issues related to democratic governance, political life and social participation in Bolivia.
Held at the Ombudsman’s Office auditorium, the session brought together experts and citizens to reflect on how regional and municipal contests influence the broader political reconfiguration of the country. The dialogue emphasised the tensions emerging from territorial fragmentation, the management of electoral disputes, and the evolving forms of citizen involvement at the local level—an emphasis that aligns closely with ECES’ ongoing engagement in Bolivia and its support to institutions and stakeholders working to strengthen the electoral process.
The event opened with remarks from Christine Röhrs, Director of FES Bolivia, followed by an introduction from Ombudsman Pedro Callisaya, who highlighted the importance of safeguarding civic rights in the context of subnational elections. Their contributions framed the discussion around the need to strengthen democratic guarantees and ensure meaningful participation across Bolivia’s diverse regions.
The panel featured three complementary perspectives. Researcher and former president of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, Salvador Romero Ballivián, analysed the impact of the lengthy 2025–2026 cycle on Bolivia’s political landscape, pointing to shifts in competition and representation. Tania Sánchez, Director of the Women’s Coordinating Committee, examined persistent challenges to achieving full gender parity in the 2026 elections and underlined the need for measures that translate legal commitments into genuine political inclusion. Representing ECES, Luis Castellar Maymo, Project Coordinator of PRO-ELECTION Bolivia, discussed how electoral conflict remains a decisive factor in shaping public trust and institutional legitimacy, particularly at the subnational level.
Participants were invited to engage directly with the speakers in an open exchange that broadened the reflection on local governance, the protection of rights, and the challenges facing Bolivia ahead of the March elections. The interactive nature of the session reaffirmed the value of public deliberation as a space not only for analysis but also for collective learning and consensus-building.
Our involvement in the event is part of our broader action in Bolivia, carried out through EU‑funded support that reinforces national efforts to improve electoral practices and reduce sources of tension throughout the electoral cycle. The “Conversations on Democracy” platform further enriches this work by bringing together diverse voices to reflect on the country’s evolving political landscape and the choices that will shape its democratic path.
