The head of Government of the City of Buenos Aires, Jorge Macrihas made a decision that has generated a great stir in the political sphere: to split the Buenos Aires elections and seek the elimination of the Primaries, Open, Simultaneous and Mandatory (PASO).
This strategic move aims to strengthen the electoral possibilities of the PRO in the district and contain the advance of La Libertad Avanza, the party led by Javier Milei. Jorge Macri announced that the elections in the City of Buenos Aires will be held on July 6, almost a month before the national PASO, which are scheduled for August 3, and three and a half months before the general legislative elections on the 26th. of October.
This decision is interpreted as a move to strengthen the PRO’s electoral chances in open competition with the candidates nominated by La Libertad Avanza. The splitting of the elections will allow Buenos Aires residents to vote for their legislators and community members on a date separate from the national elections, which could reduce the impact of national polarization in local elections.
This strategy seeks to shield the Buenos Aires district, governed by the PRO since 2007, and preserve party identity in the face of the advance of the libertarians. In addition to the splitting of the elections, Jorge Macri has also proposed the elimination of PASO at the local level.
To do this, it will send a bill to the Buenos Aires Legislature with the aim of suspending the primary elections. To approve this measure, the PRO needs 40 votes in the Legislature, which is equivalent to two-thirds of the total number of legislators.
This will require the support of the libertarian bloc, led by Pilar Ramírez, close to Karina Milei. The elimination of the PASO is justified for economic reasons and simplification of the electoral calendar. According to the Buenos Aires government, the PASO represent an unnecessary expense and a nuisance for citizens.
Risks
Furthermore, it is argued that avoiding primaries could reduce the risk of poor performance by the PRO in the internal elections, which could benefit La Libertad Avanza in the general elections. The decision of Jorge Macri has generated various reactions in the political sphere.
Patricia Bullrich, former president of the PRO and current official in Javier Milei’s government, criticized the splitting of the elections, arguing that “it makes no sense, it suits the politician and not society.” Bullrich interpreted the measure as a sign of political weakness and a strategy to “keep power.”
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