Peronism Sweeps Buenos Aires Legislative Elections

Defying media forecasts that predicted an official victory, the opposition Peronist movement secured a 13-point lead over far-right candidates in Sunday’s legislative elections, with 96% of ballots counted.

The Peronist surge resonated internationally, particularly with national legislative elections scheduled for October.

With Divididos’ song Cajita Musical playing in the background and the slogan “Defend the Future” projected on the screen, Buenos Aires Governor Axel Kicillof took the stage following Fuerza Patria’s victory in the province’s legislative elections.

After thanking his political movement, Kicillof declared: “You carried out a historic election. To the mayors of the municipalities who defended the province, thank you. To those who wisely and generously listened to what our people were asking for; to those who helped forge a single ballot—the Fuerza Patria ballot—that today achieved a sweeping victory across the province of Buenos Aires, thank you.”

In his address, Kicillof expressed gratitude to Sergio Massa and to Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, stating she was “unjustly convicted” and “should be standing on this very stage.”

“I expect Milei’s call tomorrow,” Kicillof remarked, adding sharply: “I know some believe this victory is meant to destabilize the economy. I have been warning about this for a long time. The ones destabilizing Argentina’s economy are in the national government. More imbalance and more inequality will achieve nothing. Focus on jobs, on education, on health, on our people, on the most vulnerable—and you will fare better.”

Following the announcement of Fuerza Patria’s victory in Buenos Aires, an audio message from Cristina Fernández de Kirchner was played at the Peronist headquarters. The former president thanked members of the movement, including Kicillof, Sergio Massa, and her son Máximo Kirchner.

“This is a midterm election, and the president has the responsibility to listen to the people of Buenos Aires Province, which represents nearly 40% of the national electorate. I pray to God to grant him the serenity and wisdom to do so. I love you all very much,” concluded the former president, who is serving her sentence at her home in the Constitución neighborhood of Buenos Aires.

Meanwhile, President Javier Milei acknowledged defeat, stating: “There is no option to repeat mistakes. Looking ahead, we will correct all our errors.”
National Economy Minister Toto Caputo issued a strong message: “Nothing will change economically. Not fiscally, not monetarily, not in terms of exchange policy.”

The investigation into alleged bribes paid to officials in Javier Milei’s government—which came to light this week after the leak of an audio recording by Diego Spagnuolo, now former head of the National Disability Agency (ANDIS)—has already made significant progress.

Attorney Gregorio Dalbón, who filed the complaint in the new bribery case involving the president, his sister Karina Milei, and the ousted Spagnuolo, provided details of recent raids and expressed optimism about a possible indictment.

According to Dalbón, the case “is moving forward” and represents “a success,” noting that within just 24 hours of being filed, it was being “taken seriously and advancing” at Comodoro Py federal courts.

Former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner also reminded Javier Milei of the reach of the “Vialidad doctrine” under which she was convicted, pointing out that Spagnuolo’s leaked audio suggested Milei was aware of the bribes.

Dalbón stressed: “It is true that at Comodoro Py cases are sometimes resolved politically,” citing as precedent the conviction and political ban of Cristina.

“Javier Milei, who was informed by his personal lawyer about acts of corruption, should already be summoned for questioning under that same doctrine, legally and politically speaking. In this case, we expect sincerity and respect for the law to prevail, because the act has been confessed, and Karina Milei is the main person responsible—she is the chief fundraiser in every act of corruption within Javier Milei’s government,” Dalbón charged.

The legal reasoning used to convict the national Peronist Party president in the public works case was that “a president could not possibly be unaware of what was happening in each public works project carried out in Santa Cruz and across the country.”

“What they have done are acts of bribery with percentages cited by the lawyer himself, involving something we have never seen since the return of democracy: stealing money from ANDIS. We know Javier and Karina Milei are puppets of those who wield real power, but this is a good moment for those in charge of the country to face their first serious judicial case—and I believe this time they will,” the lawyer concluded.

Translated by Sergio A. Paneque Díaz / CubaSí Translation Staff