Argentina citizens will head to the polls on Sunday (22 October) to choose their new leader. Argentina held its presidential primaries on August 13, 2023, which determined the candidates for the October election. Here is a look at the people vying for the position,
Candidates
Javier Milei
Javier Milei is a conservative Argentine economist and politician born on June 22, 1970. He is known for his controversial views on economic policy, including his support for free-market capitalism and his opposition to government intervention.
Milei has been critical of Argentina’s current economic policies and has called for a radical overhaul of the country’s economic system. He is the presidential candidate for the La Libertad Avanza party in the 2023 Argentine elections.
Milei has been described as a far-right candidate and has been known to make controversial statements, including rejecting China and leaving Mercosu
His platform calls for shuttering the central bank, loosening restrictions on buying firearms, dollarizing the economy, introducing a school voucher system, privatizing state companies, charging for public hospital services, and pension cuts.
He has positioned himself as an outsider who can overhaul the system and has promised to ditch the Argentine peso in favour of the United States dollar.
Sergio Massa
Sergio Massa is an Argentine politician and economist born on April 28, 1972.
He has served as the country’s Minister of Economy since August 3, 2022. Massa is a member of the Justicialist Party and the Peronist federal movement.
He previously served as the President of the Chamber of Deputies from 2019 to 2022 while also holding the position of National Deputy for the centre-left political coalition Frente de Todos, elected in Buenos Aires Province. Massa is known for his pragmatic approach to politics and ability to make deals across the political spectrum.
According to polls, He is a centrist and the most popular presidential candidate. However, he lags behind the centre-right opposition ahead of primaries on Sunday that will give a snapshot of voter sentiment.
Massa has pledged to balance the public budget and prefers a dialogue-led and more gradual approach to avoid sparking an economic crisis.
Massa is the main ‘unity’ candidate for the Peronist coalition’s Union por la Patria grouping and represents the centrist wing of Peronism. He is a pragmatist and deal maker who has a mixed relationship with the powerful left-wing of the coalition. He has pledged to balance the public budget and prefers a dialogue-led and more gradual approach to avoid sparking an economic crisis.
Patricia Bullrich
Patricia Bullrich is an Argentine politician and professor who was born on June 11, 1956, in Buenos Aires.
She is the chairwoman of the Republican Proposal party and was the Minister of Security under Mauricio Macri from 2015 to 2019.
Bullrich is known for her hardline stance on crime and corruption and is a candidate for the center-right Juntos por el Cambio coalition in the 2023 Argentine elections.
She has been described as a convert from leftist to right-wing politics and has been nicknamed “the bulldog” or “the iron lady” in the media. Bullrich comes from a wealthy family and was involved with the Peronist Youth as a young woman.
She has been critical of Argentina’s capital controls and has called for a strong hand against crime and corruption
Bullrich is the candidate for the center-right Juntos por el Cambio coalition. She is a conservative former security minister who finished third in the primary with 17 percent of the vote. Her campaign platform includes deregulation of markets and a focus on security.
Myriam Bregman
Myriam Bregman is an Argentine lawyer, activist, and politician. She was born on February 25, 1972, and raised in a Jewish family.
Bregman joined the Socialist Workers’ Party (PTS) while studying law at the University of Buenos Aires in the 1990s, and she is now one of its most prominent members.
Bregman has been involved in defending and assessing employed and unemployed workers in Buenos Aires City and in the provinces of Buenos Aires and Neuquén.
Juan Schiaretti
Juan Schiaretti is an Argentine accountant and politician who was born on June 19, 1949, in Córdoba, Argentina.
He is a member of the Justicialist Party and the Peronist federal movement.
Schiaretti studied at the Escuela Pública Nacional N°95 and the Liceo Militar General Paz before enrolling at the School of Economic Sciences of the National University of Córdoba, where he qualified as a public accountant at age 21.
He has held various public positions, including Interventor Federal of the Province of Santiago del Estero.
He has proposed making Argentina a more federal country and to support the production and tourism sectors
Key issues for voters in Argentina
Social welfare and public services
Accessible and quality healthcare, education, and public services are crucial concerns for voters. Candidates focusing on improving and expanding social welfare programs will find their place here.
Corruption and transparency
Corruption has been a longstanding issue in Argentina’s political landscape. Voters seek candidates who strongly commit to combating corruption, enhancing transparency, and ensuring accountability within government institutions.
Security and crime:
Public safety is a significant concern, especially in urban areas. Voters look for candidates who propose effective strategies to reduce crime rates, and enhance overall security for citizens.
Healthcare in Argentina
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of a robust healthcare system. Voters want candidates with clear plans to manage public health crises, improve healthcare infrastructure, and ensure access to vaccines and medical resources.
Environmental sustainability
Awareness and concern about environmental issues, such as climate change and sustainable development, have been growing among the Argentine electorate. Candidates advocating for environmentally friendly policies, conservation efforts, and renewable energy initiatives may gain support.
Agriculture and rural development
Agriculture is a vital sector of Argentina’s economy. Critical issues include policies supporting rural development, fair agricultural practices, and trade agreements.
Human rights and social justice
Ensuring human rights, combating discrimination, and promoting social justice are essential for many voters. Candidates advocating for inclusive policies that respect human rights and promote diversity and equality often gain traction.
