Paz Zamora, Jaime (1939- )

Bolivian president 1989-94. His administration was uneventful and very much a continuation of the policies established by his predecessor Paz Estenssoro.

Paz Zamora was leader of the centre-left Movimento de la Izquierda Revolucionaria (MIR; Revolutionary Left Movement). He became president as a result of the failure of all the contenders in the 1989 elections to gain at least 50% of the vote - as stipulated in the constitution. Subsequently, congress decided to allow the right-wing Nationalist Democratic Action Party (AND) to form a coalition with the MIR. As leader of the MIR, Paz Zamora was elected president on condition that the opposition obtained the most important ministries.