Calay News
A total of 13 presidential formulas have been registered by political parties in Argentina to participate in the Primary, Open, Simultaneous, and Mandatory (PASO) elections to be held on August 13. However, in order to advance to the October 22 general elections, parties will have to exceed the 1.5% threshold in the PASO.
Within the Peronist coalition Unión por la Patria, the formula formed by the Minister of Economy, Sergio Massa, and the Chief of Cabinet, Agustín Rossi, has been formalized after the Minister of the Interior, Eduardo ‘Wado’ de Pedro, and the Ambassador to Brazil, Daniel Scioli, declined their pre-candidatures. The decision of the latter to prioritize the unity of Peronism over individual interests was acknowledged.
On the other hand, Juan Grabois, referent of Patria Frente Grande, joined the race at the last moment after obtaining endorsements and will be accompanied by researcher and teacher Paula Abal Medina.
In the case of the main opposition coalition, Juntos por el Cambio (Together for Change), the process of selecting pre-candidates was marked by internal disputes. The movement will be represented by the pair formed by the current head of the City of Buenos Aires, Horacio Rodríguez Larreta, and the governor of the province of Jujuy, Gerardo Morales, who has been harshly criticized due to the massive protests for the reform of the provincial Constitution. In addition, the ticket headed by Patricia Bullrich, president of the Republican Proposal Party, and Luis Petri, deputy of the Radical Civic Union, will be presented.
There will also be other presidential and vice presidential candidates, such as Juan Schiaretti, governor of Córdoba, and Florencio Randazzo for the party Hacemos por Nuestro País; Javier Milei, deputy and founder of Libertad Avanza, and Victoria Villarriel, legislator; Jesús Escobar and Marianaella Lezama Hid for the Libres del Sur alliance Guillermo Moreno, former Secretary of Domestic Trade, and Leonardo Fabre, General Secretary of the Association of Agency Personnel, for the party Principios y Valores; Manuela Castañeira, leader of Nuevo Más, and Lucas Ruiz, teacher; Marcelo Ramal, economist, and Patricia Urones, teacher, for the space Política Obrera; César Biondini, General Secretary of Frente Patriota Federal; and Mariel Avendaño, teacher; among others.
In the PASO, voting is not limited only to those affiliated with political parties but extends to all voters who are obliged to vote. Those who do not go to the polls will face an economic fine or will have to justify their absence before the National Electoral Court.
In the event that none of the candidates for the presidency obtains the required number of votes on October 22, a run-off election is contemplated for November 19. The president-elect will take office on December 10, succeeding the current president, Alberto Fernández.
