Rodrigo Paz, a centrist senator who was never a nationally prominent figure until now, won Bolivia’s presidential election on Sunday, preliminary results showed, galvanizing voters outraged by the country’s economic crisis and frustrated with 20 years of rule by the Movement Toward Socialism party.

“The trend is irreversible,” Óscar Hassenteufel, the president of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, said of Paz's lead over his rival, former right-wing President Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga.

Paz won 54% of the votes, early results showed, versus Quiroga's 45%.

Shortly after the results came in, Quiroga conceded to Paz.

“I've called Rodrigo Paz and wished him congratulations,” he said in a somber speech, prompting jeers from the audience. “We need a mature attitude right now."

AP Video shot by Carlos Guerrero