Axel Kicillof formalized on Monday the splitting of the legislative elections in the province of Buenos Aires and the suspension of the PASO. Far from strengthening Peronism, the decision ended up breaking the fragile internal balance of Kirchnerism, causing a strong confrontation with Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.
In a press conference from La Plata, Kicillof defended his decision by arguing that he has “the authority to set the date of the provincial elections”, and that he did so to ensure “a serious electoral calendar” that will be held on September 7, separate from the national elections. But the technical justifications failed to hide the political background of a unilateral measure, which caused annoyance and disappointment in much of his space.
The suspension of the PASO exposed the internal crisis of Kirchnerism
Kicillof's announcement came hours after a failed meeting with Máximo Kirchner and Sergio Massa, in which he failed to agree on a common strategy to face the elections.
The meeting, which took place in La Plata, was described as “long and bad” by sources close to the participants, confirming the total lack of agreement among the main figures of the space.
Cristina Kirchner, who had publicly pressured to maintain the PASO and unified elections. Additionally, she considered the splitting as a political betrayal.