Argentina at the tipping point
As things stand there are two outcomes, either the people supports Macri or vote against him, maybe placing Cristina Fernandez in the Senate
After 12 years of government ran by the Kirchners, the people voted for a change and chose 57 businessman who promised transparency, rule of law, and progress
During the Kirchner era, especially under Cristina Fernandez’s presidency, authoritarianism set in, due to her friendship with Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez, and multiple scandals ranging from corruption to abuse of power and money laundering; does Antonini Wilson and the US$4’200.000 case ring a bell? These discrepancies tarnished her image and hindered her political party’s continuity in power.
After a year and a half as president of Argentina, Mauricio Macri has been unable to fulfill his campaign promises. The South American country’s public financial deficit has forced him to take unpopular measures which have cost him the support of labor unions, among others.
By the end of last year, El Clarin, Argentina’s most important newspaper, analyzed the fulfilment of Macri’s campaign promises and, as it turned out, only two have been met so far, 13 are in process, 8 have some delays, and 5 have been left completely unfulfilled.
Last month, Cristina Fernandez launched her campaign for Senate with the promise to be part of the opposition and stop Macri’s adjustments.
As of right now, there are two possible outcomes: either people support Macri and vote in favor of the government keeping its majorities in Congress so that the president’s agenda is able to move forward or vote against him possibly placing Fernandez in Senate and giving the opposition a legislative majority.
Argentinians have a decision to make. They can either move forward with this government that has more liberties but places a greater responsibility on its citizens, both economically and politically, or go back to a more paternalistic state that might eventually run out of money as subsidies and state sponsored programs would run a higher tab.
LatinAmerican Post | Ricardo Avella
Copy edited by Susana Cicchetto
