Argentina’s Lower House has voted to eliminate PASO Elections, requiring Senate approval to proceed. The ruling LLA deems this move essential to cut costs and enhance political legitimacy. The opposition displayed significant division during the vote, and additional reforms were passed regarding criminal proceedings.
Argentina’s Lower House has voted 162 to 55, with 28 abstentions, to abolish Mandatory, Simultaneous, and Open Primary (PASO) Elections as part of a bill proposed by President Javier Milei’s ruling La Libertad Avanza (LLA). The measure must be ratified by the Senate to take effect during the upcoming mid-term elections. Cabinet Chief Guillermo Francos hailed the decision as essential to reduce state expenses and restore political prestige.
The PASO elections, established in 2009 during Cristina Fernández de Kirchner’s presidency, serve to select party candidates rather than offices. Critics argue they impose unnecessary financial burdens on voters. The current government sees repealing PASO as a measure to streamline candidate selection and reduce internal party conflicts. The recent vote also reflects a fractured opposition with varied stances among its members.
The repeal of PASO has significant political implications, potentially transforming how Argentine parties select their candidates and manage internal affairs. The upcoming Senate vote will determine whether this change will take effect in the current election cycle, and new criminal procedural reforms have also been approved to enhance judicial efficiency.
Original Source: en.mercopress.com
