General election
Government suffers elections in Argentina
The loser of the election: Alberto Fernández. Photo: Natacha Pisarenko / AP / dpa
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In Argentina, a good 34 million people were called to vote for a new parliament. The left government of President Alberto Fernández suffered a severe defeat.
In the midst of a severe economic crisis, the left government of President Alberto Fernández suffered a setback in the parliamentary elections in Argentina.
His alliance “Frente de Todos” (“Front of all”) came after counting more than 95 percent of the votes in the night to a good 33 percent of the votes, the conservative movement “Juntos por el Cambio” (“Together for change”) got 42 percent.
The daily newspaper “La Nación” rated it as a surprise that the gap in the important populous province of Buenos Aires was just under two percent. The turnout was over 70 percent. A total of 34 million people were eligible to vote.
The election, in which half of the MPs and a third of the senators were newly elected, was also considered a test of sentiment for the government of Argentina. The next presidential election in the South American country is due in 2023. Analysts assume that the impending loss of the absolute majority in the Senate will make the remaining term of office of Fernández and Vice President Cristina Kirchner, who is also Senate President, more difficult. “Frente de Todos” will now need allies for laws.
The 45-million-inhabitant country is in a serious economic and financial crisis: The inflation rate is around 50 percent, the national currency peso is falling steadily against the dollar. 42 percent of the population now live below the poverty line. Problems with the procurement of corona vaccine and private celebrations in the presidential palace despite quarantine regulations cost the government the reputation of the voters.
After the severe defeat in the primary elections in September, the conflict between supporters of President Fernández and followers of Vice President Kirchner broke out openly. Fernández rebuilt his cabinet under pressure from the former head of state. Who actually has the say within the government will be shown above all in negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on a new agreement.