Argentina

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.

Elections Populism Javier Milei

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.

Protests Indigenous Rights Constitutional reform

As Argentina marks the beginning of an electoral year, President Alberto Fernandez formally requested that Congress impeach four Supreme Court justices. This follows a ruling last month in which the Court restored federal tax revenues to the opposition-controlled city of Buenos Aires. In the impeachment proceedings, the four justices are accused of violating Article 1 of the Constitution, which is meant to protect federalism in Argentina. The government is expected to present leaked communications as evidence of corruption which are purported to show improper coordination between members of the Court and opposition officials. President Alberto Fernandez claims the ruling was an “unacceptable intervention of the judicial power over other powers in Argentina, demonstrating the outrageous ties between part of the political class and the judiciary.” Opposition Congressmembers have condemned the impeachment request, alleging it is an undemocratic attack on the judiciary by the government. Similarly, Human Rights Watch warned the impeachment process was “an assault on the rule of law”. 

Supreme Court Alberto Fernandez Impeachment

Confrontation between Argentina's Executive power and the Judiciary continued as Vice-President Cristina Fernández was sentenced to six years in prison and a lifetime ban from holding public office in the ‘Vialidad’ corruption case. The government criticised the ruling, on the eve of which President Alberto Fernández delivered a national broadcast that sought to discredit the judiciary.  Moreover, a potential constitutional crisis appeared to be developing after the federal Frente de Todos (FdT) coalition government led by President Alberto Fernández said it would not comply with a Supreme Court ruling on a tax revenue dispute in the city of Buenos Aires.

Supreme Court Cristina Fernández de Kirchner Alberto Fernandez