Argentine Lawmaker Denounces Elimination of PASO Primaries

Sebastián Galmarini, a national deputy for Unión por la Patria, said the government is seeking an electoral advantage by eliminating the PASO primary elections ^[1].

The move to remove the open, simultaneous, and mandatory primaries represents a significant shift in Argentina's electoral framework. Critics argue that altering these mechanisms reduces citizen participation and concentrates power within the executive branch during election cycles.

Galmarini addressed the issue in the National Congress, where he argued that the proposed political reform undermines the democratic process. He said the government is attempting to manipulate the electoral landscape to ensure a more favorable outcome for the ruling party ^[1].

This debate occurs amid a broader conversation regarding the state of Argentine democracy and public sentiment. Recent data indicates that 34% of Argentines would accept resigning democracy ^[2]. This figure suggests a significant portion of the population may be open to non-democratic governance, a trend that some analysts link to the core support base of the current administration ^[2].

Galmarini said the current political climate reflects a society that is ceding its values to the government. By removing the PASO, which previously allowed voters to influence candidate selection before general elections, the government effectively limits the ability of the electorate to shape party platforms from the bottom up ^[1].

The deputy warned that such reforms are not merely administrative changes but strategic maneuvers. He said the elimination of these primaries is a direct attempt to secure a political edge by narrowing the windows of public contestation ^[1].