Bolivia’s left-wing forces are preparing a unity meeting today ahead of August’s general elections, following President Luis Arce’s public appeal for consolidation. Speaking from the Casa Grande del Pueblo (government headquarters), Arce announced his administration would formally invite all leftist parties to unite, stating: «We propose that all leftist parties meet and join forces.»

The president emphasised that this coordination would allow Bolivia’s national popular bloc to jointly assess the country’s political situation and present a united front against right-wing opponents in the August 17 elections. His call coincided with commemorations honouring socialist leader Marcelo Quiroga Santa Cruz, assassinated 45 years ago while advocating for social justice, natural resource sovereignty, and Bolivia’s marginalised sectors.

Arce framed the proposed meeting as critical for forming «a left-wing bloc, a national popular bloc» to secure electoral victory, positioning his government as both protagonist and catalyst in unifying leftist criteria to offer citizens «a genuine governance alternative.» He recalled his January 18 unity appeal and subsequent failed alliance attempts, alleging unspecified «internal and external sabotage» undermined those efforts.

The president reiterated his May 13 unity call when renouncing presidential reelection bids, stressing that cohesion must transcend individuals and centre on substantive programs. He welcomed recent unity overtures from popular camp candidates Andrónico Rodríguez, Eva Copa and Eduardo del Castillo (all from the Movement Toward Socialism), noting shared principles prove «unity is possible.» Arce concluded by reaffirming the left’s obligation to deliver the unified response that Bolivia’s rural and urban working classes urgently demand.