What Is At Stake In The Latin American Elections Remaining In 2021

As immunizations against COVID-19 have advanced in Latin America, political, economic, and social dynamics have returned. In 2020 it was difficult to see images of mass events in the electoral processes that took place, but the situation at the end of 2021 seems to show a different trend.

The rallies, marches and demonstrations of support have returned to take to the streets, especially at a time when many governments have been discredited for their efforts in the pandemic. For the last two months of the year, there are several elections that will take place, so here we propose a brief recount.

Nicaragua

The month moved will be November, for which at least five elections are scheduled throughout the region. That calendar is started by Nicaragua, which will hold presidential and legislative elections on the 7th of the month, in the midst of a controversy caused by the flagrant abuses of the opposition.

Since the middle of the year, politics in the Central American country has been marked by the authoritarian drifts of President Daniel Ortega, who has used the courts and security forces to arrest seven opposition candidates. Thus, the outlook is clear for the leader of the Sandinista Party to remain in power for another 5 years, despite complaints to national and international authorities.

That same date, the nation of Haiti was also supposed to hold its presidential elections, but in a climate of instability after the assassination of former President Jovenel Moise, Prime Minister Ariel Henry recently dismissed the Provisional Electoral Council, thus postponing the process until the first quarter of 2022.

Also read: Without Uribe And With Internal Divisions: The Panorama Of Uribismo 2022

Argentina

Then it will be the turn of Argentina, which will hold its legislative (or parliamentary) elections on November 14, after the overwhelming results left by the September primaries, with a negative balance to the ruling party.

This will take place in the midst of a political crisis within the government, which for weeks has suffered from fissures between President Alberto Fernández and Vice President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, while the opposition gathers into two large coalitions: Together for Change (centrist) and La Libertad Avanza (Liberals).

The bloc led by former President Mauricio Macri is expected to obtain a majority of votes, with the consequent defeat of the government and the entry of the Liberals as the third political force.

Venezuela

The following week it will be the turn of Venezuela, which on November 21 will hold its regional and municipal elections, also amid strong controversies by internal factors and the international community, both for and against the process.

This election will be marked by the return of almost all the opposition to the electoral arena, after several years denouncing the lack of conditions, and by the presence of several electoral observation missions, among which the European Union and the Carter Center are expected. from the USA.

However, the opposition starts with many internal divisions and several candidates for the same positions, while Chavismo has unique candidates in all states and municipalities. This does not paint a picture of change, especially in light of the interim government's questions about the legitimacy of the process.

chili

That same weekend will also correspond to Chile, which will officiate its general elections, made up of the first round of the presidential and legislative elections. For the southern nation, the process will take place in the context of social unrest that has continued since 2019, and will mark the return of the left to power or the permanence of the right.

The latest polls give as the main favorites the candidate of the right José Antonio Kast, as well as the young left-wing Gabriel Boric, although neither would manage to prevail in the first instance. For this reason, it is expected that everything will be decided on December 19, in the last process of the year for the region, with the second round.

Honduras

Finally, the month of November is closed by the Central American nation of Honduras, which on the 28th will have mega presidential, legislative and municipal elections, to renew all its local and parliamentary authorities and even the Head of State itself.

The dispute between the left and right parties is very close from the polls, and it is estimated that alliances will be formed in the previous days and weeks. This process will also count on some independent observers from the European Union and will mark the legislative and executive order of the country for the coming years.

In all these elections described, it is proposed that the vote be face-to-face, as was the case under normal conditions, and that the vote of nationals abroad be considered if the election warrants and allows it.