Argentina
Argentina exhibits mid-range performance in Rights and Rule of Law and high-range performance in Representation and Participation. It is among the top 25 per cent of countries in the world regarding multiple factors of democratic performance. Over the past five years, Argentina has seen notable advances in Basic Welfare, Freedom of the Press and Credible Elections but has suffered from declines in Effective Parliament. Argentina is a leading food producer and exporter with large-scale agricultural and livestock industries. Although it is an upper-middle income country with one of the highest Gross National Product (GNPs) and one of the largest economies in the region, poverty and inequality remain high.
Since the middle of the 19th century, Argentina has faced repeated economic crises which have resulted in political instability, including several military coups d’état. Widespread human rights violations, including enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings during military rule, impacted politics after the return to democracy, as successive administrations sought justice and accountability processes, including through the creation of a truth commission, criminal proceedings, and strengthened civilian oversight of the armed forces.
Endemic corruption, low levels of public trust, political polarization and hyper-presidentialism, have led to increasingly weak institutions. Over the years, economic shocks have produced anti-government sentiments and great ideological swings in the population. This is exemplified by the country’s 2001 recession, which sparked a wave of protests against the government, resulting in five different presidents within less than two weeks. Divisions in politics tend to fall between supporters of Peronism, a political movement rooted in former President Juan Peron’s pro-union and pro working-class policies, and non-Peronists. Divisions also lie within parties and within Peronism, between supporters of economically liberal and more conservative policies. While there are several emerging parties, including far-right political coalitions, Argentina’s political landscape is dominated by the Peronist centre-left Justicialist Party (JP), the centrist Radical Civic Union (UCR) and the centre-right alternative front Change, an increasingly important political actor.
The majority of Argentina’s population is of European descent and Mestizo (97.2 per cent), with Indigenous (2.4 per cent) and Black (.4 per cent) minorities. Several Indigenous groups have historically faced violent attacks, with many killed by Spanish colonizers. Colonisation impacted dynamics between racial groups that persist today, and non-white Argentinians are frequently excluded from the concept of national identity. Racial discrimination exists at a structural level, and unequal access to social rights and opportunities is common. While an institutional and legal framework is in place to promote gender equality, violence against women persists. Femicide is codified in Argentinian criminal law, yet the rate of femicide is high.
In the coming years, it will be important to watch the impact of a growing economic crisis, worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic. Corruption also remains a significant challenge, as systematic attempts to curb it have been undermined by politicization and ineffectiveness in the judicial system. The steep decline in adherence to the rule of law further challenges democratic governance in Argentina, especially following the use of emergency powers and the imposition of one of the strictest lockdowns in the world, which human rights organizations denounced for being violently enforced and for its disproportionate impact on marginalized communities. Limitations on freedom of expression have also been strongly criticized.
Monthly Event Reports
November 2023 | Paradigm shift in Argentina’s politics with Milei’s presidential victory
In a significant shift in Argentina's political landscape, the presidential run-off on 19 November saw a resounding victory for Javier Milei. Despite falling behind Sergio Massa by nearly 1.8 million votes in the first round, Milei secured 55.7 per cent of votes in the second round, leaving Massa trailing at 44.3 per cent. Known for his far-right leanings, Milei is set to implement widespread privatizations and introduce dollarization within his first year in office, aiming to stabilize Argentina's economy. His win has provoked a variety of global responses, with some expressing cautious optimism and others expressing concern about Argentina's economic trajectory. Despite the challenging social and economic context in which the elections took place, Transparencia Electoral, an independent organization that promotes electoral transparency, praised the Argentine citizenry for their commitment to democratic values. The election concluded with a 76 per cent voter turnout, according to the National Electoral Chamber. A slight increase from the 74 per cent turnout in the October general elections, but lower than the 2015 run-off where 80.8 per cent of the eligible voters participated
October 2023 | Argentina's Elections: Massa and Milei Head for Run-off
On 22 October, Argentina held its general elections with a turnout of 77.7 per cent (with compulsory voting from the age of 18). Peronist Economy Minister Sergio Massa and Javier Milei emerged as the leading presidential candidates, earning 36.7 per cent and 30 per cent of votes, respectively. Patricia Bullrich underperformed and was eliminated from the presidential race, securing only 23.8 per cent of the votes. The two frontrunners will face each other in a run-off on 19 November. Alongside the presidential election, the composition of Argentina's Congress was also determined. Unión por la Patria (UxP), led by Massa, became the dominant party, securing 32 out of 72 seats in the Upper House and retaining 104 in the Lower House. Conversely, Juntos por el Cambio's (JxC) representation diminished. Javier Milei’s La Libertad Avanza (LLA) made significant progress, becoming the third largest bloc in Congress. The number of women representatives decreased from 117 to 111. A preliminary report by Transparencia Electoral indicated the elections were conducted peacefully and democratically across the nation. Nonetheless, it underscores concerns about unequal competition, opacity in campaign financing, restricted media access for opposition, and misappropriation of public resources during campaigning.
August 2023 | Far-right populist wins presidential primary
On 13 August, Argentina conducted its PASO primaries (primary, open, simultaneous, and obligatory). This critical stage in the country's electoral process determines the candidates for national offices in the general election. A candidate needs to secure at least 1.5 per cent of the vote to qualify for the general election scheduled for 22 October. The results of these primaries saw the emergence of far-right populist candidate Javier Milei as the victor. Milei, a member of Argentina's Congress since 2021, obtained first place, securing about 30 per cent of the votes. Milei promotes a radical libertarian platform and has vowed to close Argentina’s central bank. He opposes sex education, wants to ease firearm purchases, and denies the climate crisis. This outcome signifies a notable shift in Argentine politics, disrupting the long-standing dominance of the country's two principal political factions. His victory reflects public dissatisfaction with Argentina's traditional politics, especially amidst severe economic challenges. Voter participation was less than 70 per cent, marking the lowest turnout in over ten years since these elections were initiated.
June 2023 | Protests and violence escalate in response to provincial constitutional reforms
In June, violence erupted in Argentina’s north-western province of Jujuy following weeks of protests against reforms to the provincial constitution. These reforms facilitate the eviction of Indigenous land occupiers for lithium mining, prohibit common protest tactics such as roadblocks, and mandate prior notification to police of protest action. The unrest escalated on 20 June, when violent clashes between protesters and police erupted as the reform was fast-tracked and approved without public participation or consultation. At least 170 people were injured, and 68 others were detained during the repression of the demonstrations. President Alberto Fernández issued a statement condemning the acts of repression by the government of Jujuy and urged the governor to comply with international human rights standards. Several domestic and international rights organizations have expressed concern and appealed to the United Nations amidst the ongoing protests and arrests. The UN has also called for an investigation into the alleged human rights violations in the province.
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