Fuerza Patria Dominates Legislative Elections in Buenos Aires
Fuerza Patria, an alliance of diverse sectors within the Peronist opposition, decisively defeated President Javier Milei’s party, La Libertad Avanza, in the legislative elections held this Sunday in Buenos Aires Province, the largest electoral district in Argentina and critical for the upcoming national elections in October, reports 24brussels.
With over 80% of ballots counted, Fuerza Patria secured approximately 47% of the vote, while La Libertad Avanza garnered around 34%. The opposition coalition, led by Governor Axel Kicillof, achieved a total of 46.93%, leaving their closest rivals, the right-wing Libertad Avanza alongside PRO, trailing by more than 13 percentage points at 33.86%. The coalition Somos Buenos Aires achieved 5.41%, followed by the Left-Unity Front at 4.38%.
Buenos Aires Minister of Government Carlos Bianco highlighted that Fuerza Patria is leading in 6 out of the 8 electoral sections and in 99 out of 135 municipalities within Buenos Aires. He noted that the results indicate a strong preference for their political force.
Voter turnout reached 64%, which is significantly lower than the historical average of approximately 75% for the district. The Buenos Aires Province plays a crucial role nationally due to its economic and demographic significance, representing over 37% of the national electorate with 14.3 million eligible voters.
The elections aimed to renew half of the legislators across both chambers, with 23 provincial senators (full) and 15 alternates to be elected, alongside 46 provincial deputies (full) and 28 alternates, as well as local councilors and school board members in 135 municipalities.
This electoral process unfolded amid tensions stemming from a corruption scandal involving Karina Milei, the president’s sister, linked to alleged fines at the National Disability Agency. The election results pose a significant setback for Javier Milei, whose administration faces scrutiny over austerity measures, rising public service prices, and stagnant incomes.
Notably, these legislative elections in Buenos Aires were held independently of national elections for the first time in 42 years, highlighting a pivotal moment in Argentina’s political landscape.