Javier Milei won the Buenos Aires City election, defeating Mauricio Macri’s party and indicating a shift in Argentine politics ahead of midterm elections. His candidate, Manuel Adorni, received 30.1% of the votes, primarily affecting the PRO bloc’s 20-year stronghold. The Peronist movement also gained traction, with Leandro Santoro finishing second. This outcome raises questions about the future alliances on the political right.
In a significant victory for Javier Milei, the libertarian leader triumphed in the Buenos Aires City vote, effectively toppling the political stronghold of his former ally, Mauricio Macri. This comes as the country prepares for critical midterm elections later this year. Milei’s party, La Libertad Avanza, outperformed Macri’s PRO bloc, which has dominated the city for 20 years, highlighting a noticeable shift in Argentina’s political landscape.
Manuel Adorni, Milei’s choice for the City Hall election, captured the public’s attention, winning with 30.1 percent of the votes. This was a comfortable lead over Silvia Lospennato, Macri’s candidate, who secured only 15.9 percent, placing her party third. The results strongly suggest that the PRO cannot claim to be the primary agent of change in Argentina anymore, according to Joaquín Bagues from Grit Capital Group.
Interestingly, while the battle was mainly between Milei and Macri, it also revitalized the Argentine left. Peronist candidate Leandro Santoro finished second, garnering 27.4 percent of votes, which could pave the way for a stronger presence of the left in the upcoming legislative assembly, considering half of Buenos Aires’ 60 City legislators are being replaced.
Pollster Mariel Fornoni remarked that this election was highly polarized, indulging in competition between Milei and Macri, which encouraged a stronger turnout from the Peronists. She emphasized that the dynamics of the race were clearly between the two rivals on the right, affecting the overall electoral landscape.
Macri had been working to unify right-wing forces, but Milei opted for an independent campaign to showcase his growing popularity. This move is viewed positively by investors, who hope it could lead to future unity against the Peronists in Congress. Political analysts suggest this victory gives Milei and his party leverage to negotiate with lawmakers looking for political opportunities amid collapsing parties.
Reflecting on Milei’s political ascent, Macri has played a pivotal role since Milei’s election in 2023. Following a loss in the initial voting round against a Peronist challenger, Macri hosted a dinner that helped rally support around Milei for the final round. Despite their collaboration, there appears to be a shift in the balance of power as Milei’s administration grows increasingly independent of Macri’s influence.
Political analyst Alejandro Catterberg noted that disagreements regarding power dynamics have emerged since Milei’s rise, revealing a clash of perspectives. While Macri sought a partnership under the guise of shared governance, Milei viewed Macri’s party as outdated, signaling a potential ideological shift among voters.
Recent events leading to the vote were marked by intrigue, including allegations of collusion between Macri and former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner against Milei. In the weeks prior, Adorni created waves with a new policy to reduce tariffs on imported phones, aiming to ease the financial burden on residents, notably those facing high iPhone prices. However, Adorni faced criticism for possibly using his government role to boost his candidacy.
In an unusual move, he declared intentions to resign from his government position just before his official term begins in City Hall, aiming to delineate his political responsibilities. The current political climate remains volatile as the country heads into crucial election periods, with the balance of power shifting more than ever before.
Javier Milei’s recent victory in Buenos Aires City signifies a pivotal shift in Argentina’s political scene, undermining the longstanding dominance of Mauricio Macri’s PRO bloc. With Milei’s party, La Libertad Avanza, gaining significant ground, the upcoming midterm elections are shaping up to be highly competitive. As the right wing divides and the left gains momentum, the future of Argentine politics could see a significant reconfiguration as power balances continue to evolve.
Original Source: www.batimes.com.ar
