Gas-Driven Growth Powers Morales Re-Election Bid in Bolivia

Bolivian President Evo Morales is favored to win re-election this weekend after delivering eight years of uninterrupted growth following the nationalization of gas fields in 2006.

Morales was backed by 59 percent of those surveyed in an Ipsos poll between Sept. 8 and 23, more than double the combined tally of his four closest rivals, including Samuel Doria, who owns the country’s biggest cement producer. A candidate needs to win more than 40 percent and finish at least 10 percentage points ahead of the nearest rival to avoid a second-round vote.