Bolivians are set to head to the polls to choose between two pro-market candidates in a presidential run-off that marks the end of nearly two decades of socialist rule and the start of a likely realignment towards the United States.The vote on Sunday pits conservative former interim President Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga, 65, against centrist Senator and economist Rodrigo Paz, the 58-year-old son of the former left-wing President Jaime Zamora.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listBoth men have promised to overhaul Bolivia’s crisis-hit economy and restore the relationship with the US after years of tense, often hostile ties under the left-wing governments of Evo Morales and his successor, outgoing President Luis Arce. Presidential candidate Rodrigo Paz waves during a campaign rally in Tarija, Bolivia [Juan Karita/AP Photo]The governing Movement Towards Socialism party (MAS), racked by division, has failed to advance a candidate to the run-off election, meaning its leadership is slated to come to an end. Support for MAS, which has dominated Bolivian politics since Morales first took power in 2006, all but collapsed in the first round of voting in August.The vote comes as the nation of 11 million faces its most serious economic crisis in decades. Inflation has surged above 20 percent, the country is short on fuel and dollars, and long queues at petrol stations have become a daily reality.Polls show a tight race, with Quiroga holding a narrow lead. Voting stations open at 8am local time (12:00 GMT) and will close at 4pm (20:00 GMT), with initial results expected five hours later. Advertisement ‘Situation is terrible’Once South America’s fastest-growing economy, Bolivia has nearly depleted its foreign currency reserves after years of heavy subsidies and underinvestme …
