La Paz, Bolivia - Facing the humiliating prospect of the August Bolivian presidential election, President Luis Arce, who was inaugurated in 2020 and is expected to seek a second term, said Tuesday that he would withdraw from the competition.

The decision was announced in a long late-night televised speech that as the Rift deepened at the top of the council in Bolivia, where Ars and his former president, Evo Morales, had worked hard to control his left-wing Bloc.

"I will not be a factor in the referendum," Ars said in his speech, warning that a scattered base would put Bolivian right-wing and centrist parties in power after nearly two decades of socialist rule. “Even less, I will promote the realization of a fascist right-wing project…trying to undermine productive socio-economic model.”

Years of competition between Arce and Morales have been accelerating the slow economic crisis that burns with working-class voters, who are the core constituencies of the MAS, in armed forces.

Bolivia has exported natural gas to import fuel, from having one of the lowest inflation rates in the region to one of the highest inflation rates. Now, the value of Bolivian local currency on the black market is half the official exchange rate. The fuel shortage paralyzed the country. The central bank has actually run out of the dollar.

Many of these problems are rooted in Arce's iconic predecessor, Morales, but most voters blame Arce for economic chaos. Polls show that the embattled president is increasingly behind his left-wing rivals - Morales and Senate President Andriño Rodriguez.

Under Arce's control, MAS was forced to depart and create his own party to preside over his candidacy.

It is unclear whether Rodríguez, a politically savvy 36, of the rural Coca-Cola Fortress in Morales, will join the MAS ticket or register with other political parties. The registration deadline is May 19.

Arce's decision to withdraw on Tuesday is also seen as a new chapter in his growing hatred of Morales. Morales' re-election campaign for Morales has a nostalgia for commodities-driven public investment and poverty, which lasted nearly 14 years from 2006 to 2019.

"I challenge former President Evo Morales not to stick to running because constitutionally he can't do that because the dispersion and division of the vote will benefit rights," Ars said.

Bolivia's first indigenous president, Morales, has faced many obstacles on the road to the highest position in his country six years after bidding for an unconstitutional fourth term, leading to mass protests and self-protesting under pressure from the army.

Ars's administration insists that the 2023 Constitutional Court ruled attorneys to be Morales who seek another term. Former leaders have been stranded in a remote tropical corner of Bolivia since the judge ordered Morales to arrest allegations related to sexual relations with the 15-year-old girl, which he said was politically motivated.

Arce's call on Rodríguez to oppose the socialist foundations of the opposition has led some analysts to suggest that the young, lesser-known politician might be the most likely candidate for the left.

"The biggest winner is Rodríguez, if Morales accepts the challenge of Arce giving up his wishes," said Bolivian political analyst Marcelo Arequipa. "The decision of (MAS parties) is to lose power or leave power. Which one do they prefer?"

At least four opposition candidates, but no clear leader, paved the way for a turbulent campaign season ahead of the August 17 election.