The simultaneous and mandatory open primaries (PASO) tend to be an x-ray of the state of mind of the country, whose disaffection with the political class has been witnessed again in local elections.
Argentines will vote this Sunday in primaries in which the stakes appear to be higher than the candidates running in October’s general election, in which Peronism and the Conservative Opposition They start with some equality.
The simultaneous and mandatory open primaries (PASO) are mostly an x-ray of the state of mind of the country, whose disaffection with the political class was seen again in the local elections, with high abstention rates and blank votes that could be repeated this Sunday.
All candidates have focused their campaigns on presenting proposals to improve the economy in a country where inflation is already around 50%, the poverty rate is approaching 40% and insecurity is on the rise, both due to social inequality and the rise of criminal structures related to drug trafficking.
This Sunday’s electoral appointment is also about the absence of big faces of politics in recent years, that of Vice President Cristina Fernandez (eliminated by Justice in December 2022) and that of the opposition leader Mauricio Macri. For his part, the chairman Albert Fernandezannounced that he would not be seeking re-election as claimed by his party.
On the side of peronismthe candidates of Union for the Fatherland They are the Minister of Economic Affairs, Sergio Masswho has the challenge of convincing the electorate after it fails to contain inflation, and John Graboisleader of one of the leftmost forces of the ruling coalition and from the social movements.
In this context of certain instability within Peronism, the opposition coalition Together for change share with a slight advantage in the October election, according to several polls. The primaries, very open, are contested by the head of government of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Horacio Rodriguez Larretaand the former Minister of Security, Patricia Bullrichvery close to Macri.
Meanwhile, the Extremely right led by the theatrical ultra-liberal economist javier milei and his proposals to dollarize the economy, shut down the Central Bank, and promises of a strong hand on crime, as well as the high rate of absenteeism among locals, bathed October’s election nomination with uncertainty.
In this primaries, not only the next tenant of Casa Rosada for the next four years is at stake, but also the candidates to renew part of the National Congress, as well as the next provincial governors, including the head of government of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires and other local and municipal executive functions.
Source: EITB
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
