Key Takeaways
- Former President Cristina Kirchner and Buenos Aires Governor Axel Kicillof met to negotiate a united Peronist electoral strategy for the crucial provincial elections on September 7th.
- The meeting, which followed months of political distance, aims to prevent a Peronist defeat in its traditional stronghold against a rising alliance between La Libertad Avanza and PRO.
- Key to the agreement is the distribution of candidacies, with Kicillof’s faction pushing for a more equitable share (one-third) of spots on unity lists, a significant increase from previous electoral pacts.
In a pivotal move for Argentina’s political landscape, former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and Buenos Aires Governor Axel Kicillof held a crucial meeting this past Thursday to forge an electoral pact, aiming to unify the Peronist front ahead of the provincial elections on September 7th. This direct engagement, following months of strained relations, underscores the high stakes for the Peronist party in its traditional stronghold.
The meeting culminated in an agreement to establish a negotiation table, comprising representatives from both sides, tasked with integrating candidate lists for the upcoming September vote. This signals a concerted effort to present a united front against an anticipated alliance between President Javier Milei’s La Libertad Avanza (LLA) and the PRO party.
The reconciliation comes after a period of significant distance between the two prominent Peronist figures. Sources close to the dialogue indicated that the Thursday meeting was preceded by a brief, cordial phone call on Tuesday, breaking a five-month silence between Kirchner and Kicillof. The former president had reportedly initiated contact, expressing a desire to discuss electoral strategy.
The urgency stems from a shared concern over the Peronist party’s electoral prospects in Buenos Aires Province. Kirchner herself, having recently announced her potential candidacy for a deputy seat in the populous Third Electoral Section, publicly warned of the risk of losing the province if the party failed to unite. “If it loses in the September 7th elections, it’s unthinkable to win in the national elections in October,” she stated.
However, the path to unity is fraught with challenges, particularly concerning the distribution of candidacies. Kicillof, who has garnered the support of over 40 Buenos Aires mayors, including those from key Conurbano districts, is pushing for a significantly larger share for his “Derecho al Futuro” movement and allied “intendentes.” While in 2023, the distribution reportedly favored Kirchner (50%), Kicillof (25%), and Sergio Massa (25%), the governor now seeks a minimum of “equal thirds” for his faction.
The negotiations are complicated by the fact that Cristina Kirchner and her son, Máximo Kirchner, currently control the institutional levers of the Justicialist Party at both national and provincial levels, effectively holding “the pen” to finalize candidate lists. This power dynamic creates tension, as Kicillof’s supporters, including powerful mayors like Fernando Espinoza of La Matanza (the province’s largest Peronist voting district), are reportedly resistant to conceding too much to La Cámpora, the political youth organization led by Máximo Kirchner.
Adding another layer of complexity is Cristina Kirchner’s ongoing judicial situation. She was previously sentenced to six years in prison and disqualified from holding public office in the “Vialidad” corruption case, although a final ruling from the Supreme Court is still pending. Her potential candidacy raises questions about parliamentary immunity, which, according to the provincial constitution, commences on the day of election (September 7th), rather than the official candidacy submission (July 19th).
For Kicillof, a successful internal negotiation is vital not only for electoral success but also for the governability of his remaining two years in office. He needs to strengthen the Peronist bloc as the first minority in the provincial legislature to secure approvals for crucial matters such as debt, budgets, and judicial appointments. A rupture within the party could severely undermine his administration.
The negotiation table is expected to address these intricate issues, with key dates fast approaching: the closure of electoral alliances on July 9th and the definitive presentation of candidate lists on July 19th. Kicillof is set to inform the mayors supporting his “Derecho al Futuro” movement about the agreed path towards unity in an upcoming meeting.
Read More:
https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/cristina-kirchner-se-reunio-con-axel-kicillof-en-busca-de-un-pacto-electoral-nid05062025/
https://www.clarin.com/politica/cristina-kirchner-convoco-axel-kicillof-encuentro-diagramar-estrategia-electoral_0_VhbaKTsJXZ.html