Argentina Politics Updates - 20 April 2023
Economy Minister campaign rumors, Javier Milei's outsider politics
Rumours about Massa’s future swirl as president’s chief advisor resigns (Buenos Aires Times)
Alberto Fernández’ chief advisor Antonio Aracre resigned after less than 3 months in office
There have been rumors about Economy Minister Sergio Massa leaving government; Aracre is slated to take Massa’s place, in the event of his departure
A social flare-up, a triple draw and the rise of Milei (Buenos Aires Times)
“A recent survey by the Analogías political consultancy firm revealed a triple tie between the Frente de Todos, opposition coalition Juntos por el Cambio and Javier Milei’s libertarians.”
“Their margin is so narrow that the first round of the vote could find the three contenders within percentage points of each other, indicating a fragmentation of the electorate which could lead to surprise outcomes.”
The internal campaigning of Larreta vs Bullrich in the opposition Juntos por el Cambio coalition could allow for Milei to gain even more votes
Though Peronism maintains a stronghold in the Conurbano, the middle and lower class neighborhoods found outside the city of Buenos Aires, Milei’s influence and rhetoric has gained significant traction; “despite the fact that Milei doesn’t have a candidate in the province just yet, his hypothetical choice took 16.6 percent” in the polls
Argentina’s 'blue dollar' hits 420 – the reasons behind exchange rate turbulence (Buenos Aires Times)
Analysts attribute the spike in the exchange rate to “a cocktail of elections in October, dollarisation proposals by libertarian lawmaker Javier Milei and instability from the new ‘dolár agro.’”
The ‘blue dollar’ hit a high of 421 on Tuesday
Still mucking around with Milei (Buenos Aires Times)
Both the Frente de Todos and Juntos por el Cambio coalitions underestimated the power and influence of Milei’s rhetoric, and failed to take him seriously as a legitimate threat to both of their electoral chances
“Social fatigue and the idea of punishing much of the political class” are the main concepts expressed by potential voters that have them flocking to Milei
Argentina official: Néstor Kirchner pipeline is ‘45% complete,’ will be ready by June (Buenos Aires Times)
The pipeline is expected to begin operating in June, when it is 75-50% complete
If the timeline is met, Argentina will save US$2.2 billion in fuel imports by the end of the year
The completion of the timeline is also likely to give an electoral boost to the ruling Frente de Todos coalition, who spearheaded the project
Circle of risk: internal fighting causes economic tremors and the crisis raises political tension (Infobae)
The resignation of Alberto Fernández’ chief advisor and rumors of the resignation of Economy Minister Sergio Massa resigning led to the “blue dollar” spiking to 421 on Tuesday which, in turn, sparked additional political tensions and infighting
“If the election was tomorrow, who would you vote for?”, the question that closed the exclusive meeting of businesspeople (La Nación)
A meeting of the country’s top business profiles in the exclusive Llao Llao resort in Bariloche showed the heavy skepticism of the business community towards Milei’s policies, in particular his emphasis on dollarization
Police in Argentina’s capital to start using stun guns (AP News)
The stun guns will begin to be used in June or July
The decision comes ahead of an election in which insecurity is a top concern for voters
Alberto Fernández (Frente de Todos coalition) announced that national security forces would begin using stun guns; mayor of Buenos Aires city Horacio Rodriguez Larreta - presidential candidate of the opposing Juntos por el Cambio coalition - implemented this decision partially due to electoral calculations
Gerardo Morales: “If it is decided to bring Milei into Juntos por el Cambio, don’t count on radicalism“ (Infobae)
The governor of Jujuy and pre-presidential candidate of the Unión Cívica Radical (UCR) party said that joining with Milei would be a “jump into the abyss” for the Juntos por el Cambio coalition
The UCR and other radicals also compose a significant part of the Juntos por el Cambio coalition; the loss of their votes could greatly impact election outcomes
Security Minister Aníbal Fernández predicts ‘repression and blood’ if Argentina’s right wins election (Buenos Aires Times)
Peronist Fernández claimed that the economic policies proposed by opposition coalitions “would deliver fatal social upheaval in Argentina,” and predicted significant repression from the authorities
Horacio Rodríguez Larreta and Patricia Bullrich both repudiated the remarks
Fernández also stated that Alberto Fernández should run for re-election as the Frente de Todos candidate
Theft of US$1 million in gold suspends Argentina mine project (Buenos Aires Times)
“Thieves heisted about US$1 million of gold from a mining project in southern Argentina run by Vancouver-based Patagonia Gold Corp,” in the Santa Cruz province
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