the government of Alberto Fernandez I was defeated primary election on Sunday (12) and could mean a loss of control of the Senate and a reduction in the government’s bench in the Chamber of Deputies.
Feather Argentina Elections are held to renew a part of the legislature in the middle of the president’s term – that vote will take place on November 14.
The ruling coalition currently in the Senate could lose a majority. In the Chamber, the government has a minority and will need 10 more seats to gain a majority.
Argentina’s electoral system forces the electoral fronts to cast primary votes – that is, voters choose who should be the candidate of each party. Since a voter can vote for only one name for a party, these primaries also reflect the preference of each front among the voters.
Argentina’s two main political coalitions are the Juntos from the opposition and the Fronte de Todos from the government. Together, under the leadership of former President Mauricio Macri, they won most of the country’s districts.
Defeat in the province of Buenos Aires
María Eugenia Vidal, former governor of the province of Buenos Aires and Horacio Laretta, mayor of the city of Buenos Aires on September 12, 2021 – Photo: Raul Ferrari / Telam / AFP
The result was even worse for the government in one of its main strongholds, the cities around Buenos Aires. In the province of the same name (which does not include the capital), Juntos received 38.3% of the vote, with over 76% of the vote, while Frente de Todos received 33.5% of the vote.
In the city of Buenos Aires, where authority is strong, the numbers are even tougher for the government. With 96% of ballots counted, Juntos recorded 48.27% of the vote, while the Fernández Coalition had 24.62% of the vote.
“It’s a frightening scenario for the government,” said political scientist Carlos Fara. With these numbers, the perspective is that the opposition victory should be consolidated within two months.
After the results were announced, Fernandez said along with his party’s top leaders, “We all listened to the people’s decision with respect and great attention.”
He said, “From tomorrow (Monday) we are going to work so that they will join us in November because we are still convinced that we are facing two models of the country, one which includes all and the other which affects many. leaving.”
Primaries marked by pandemic
The primaries were hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, which postponed voting due to health measures.
Voters in the city of Buenos Aires, September 12, 2021 — Photo: Alejandro Pagani / AFP
The pandemic has caused more than 113,000 deaths in 5.5 million cases in the country, with vaccination progress in recent weeks leading to a sharp reduction in infections. More than 63% of Argentina’s 45 million residents have received a single dose and 40% are fully immunized.
A total of 34 million people had registered to vote. The participation rate was just over 67%.
