Cristina humiliated Axel Kicillof while trying to save Kirchnerism in the elections

In a context of deep political weakness of Buenos Aires Peronism and in the face of the overwhelming advance of the national government of Javier Milei, former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner reappeared with a move that exposed the leadership crisis within the group. In a meeting held this Thursday afternoon, the leader of La Cámpora met with Buenos Aires governor Axel Kicillof to outline a precarious unity strategy ahead of the September 7 legislative elections.

The brief official statement from the Buenos Aires Governor's Office confirmed the meeting without further details:  "Late this afternoon, Axel Kicillof and Cristina Fernández de Kirchner met. A group made up of representatives from the different factions will be formed to try to build a strategy that leads to joint lists." However, the clarification came quickly:  "This doesn't mean that everything is already settled or that unity is a fact."

Behind that diplomatic statement lies a much harsher reality:  Cristina Kirchnerconditioned the current governor to accept her candidacy as top candidate in the third electoral section, the most relevant for historic Peronism. The decision exposed Kicillof's weakness, who had to accept  "going together to defeat Milei", according to sources close to the inner circle of the PJ. The former president, who faces serious legal cases and even a conviction, returns to the electoral arena with the sole objective of avoiding a crushing defeat for the group that once dominated Argentine politics.

The rapprochement between Cristina Kirchner and her former Economy Minister came after more than five months of distance and strong tensions. CFK's candidacy in the third section pushed the governor into an uncomfortable negotiation, pressured by the growing national alliance between La Libertad Avanza and PRO, which threatens to sweep the polls. A division within Peronism would doom the group to a historic failure.

Within the provincial ruling party, there is a prevailing awareness that without unity there are not even chances to compete. However, that unity, if it materializes, will be forced and temporary. The Movimiento Derecho al Futuro (MDF), a group promoted by Kicillof and backed by more than 40 mayors, faces the hardline Kirchnerism of Máximo Kirchner and La Cámpora, accusing them of political obsolescence and of sabotaging the provincial administration.

Kicillof, who seeks to distance himself from the decadent figure of Cristina and project himself as a presidential candidate in 2027, insists that the Buenos Aires electoral split was the right strategy. Cristina, on the other hand, keeps vehemently—both publicly and privately—that it was a mistake and demands that the governor reverse course to avoid a debacle similar to Jorge Macri's in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires.

As a next step, Kicillof will summon the MDF mayors on Monday to decide whether to continue negotiations with Kirchnerism or maintain an autonomous stance. The provincial leader depends on that core group of local chiefs who support him politically and who deeply distrust the influence of La Cámpora.

The deadline for submitting lists is set for July 19, which leaves room for further tensions and negotiations. However, everything indicates that any attempt at unity will be nothing more than a last-minute patch to avoid a certain defeat against the unified bloc of La Libertad Avanza and PRO, which arrives strengthened and with a clear roadmap, while Peronism is consumed by internal disputes, egos, and personal ambitions.