centrist

In Bolivia, the recent election of President Rodrigo Paz, a business-friendly centrist, after years of socialist rule has buoyed hopes that the government might ease state controls over the lithium industry.

His opponent, Republican John Duarte, who cast himself a centrist in the race, had only held the seat for one term before being beat.

In an interview with Salon, Lawrence rejected the notion that Americans are yearning for a centrist party, saying that voters want candidates who offer tangible material, positive change.

Bolivia elected a centrist, pro-market president last month after nearly two decades of socialist rule, his inauguration attended by Christopher Landau, the U.S.’s deputy secretary of state.

Critics blame him for allowing centrist Democrats to give up the political game of chicken, which they appeared to be winning.