AND THAT REMINDS ME… The maybes of May 14-05-2022 00:01 Today’s anniversary is nowhere in the current agenda with plenty of issues to absorb our attention, yet stopping to recall the Menem years would not go amiss. by Michael Soltys
EDITORIAL Are two heads always better than one? 07-05-2022 00:23 Blame lies not only with a self-destructive government whose two wings are more interested in flapping against each other than in taking flight but also with a distinct lack of clear, constructive and convincing alternatives from any other political sector.
POLITICS ‘I’ve got the power!’ 07-05-2022 00:19 There’s a civil war raging between President Alberto Fernández and his second-in-command, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner – and said conflict is tearing the ruling coalition apart at the seams. by Agustino Fontevecchia
EDITORIAL Anything but a holy week 16-04-2022 00:01 Inflation at this level traps the government in the austerity it abhors since prices and government revenues both rising in real time leave wages and pensions trailing, thus turning the political debate into an uphill battle.
Politics Waiting for Alberto and Cristina to figure it out 15-04-2022 01:40 The civil war between the Albertistas and Kirchneristas has paralysed Argentina’s political agenda. by Agustino Fontevecchia
POLITICS War of the Roses: an inevitable divorce for Alberto & Cristina? 01-04-2022 21:47 Plenty of scenarios have been circulating over the past several weeks as the ruling Frente de Todos coalition endures an internal civil war between Kirchneristas and Albertistas. by Agustino Fontevecchia
INTERVIEW / PERIODISMO PURO Sergio Massa: ‘I stopped basing my politics on articles or opinion polls a long time ago’ 25-03-2022 12:00 Lower House speaker on tensions in the ruling coalition, the approval of the IMF debt deal and whether he’ll run for the Presidency in 2023. by Jorge Fontevecchia
POLITICS A conversation with Professor Stiglitz 04-02-2022 23:10 The strong show of political support for Guzmán’s negotiating techniques from one of the world’s most renowned economists is the mirror image of what he’s suffered internally, particularly within the ranks of Frente de Todos. by Agustino Fontevecchia
INTERVIEW / PERIODISMO PURO Gustavo Bordet: ‘When positions become radical, votes run away from you’ 07-01-2022 22:00 Entre Ríos Province governor on Argentina’s provincial leaders, Peronism and why President Alberto Fernández should stand for re-election in 2023. by Jorge Fontevecchia
INTERVIEW / PERIODISMO PURO Alberto Fernández: ‘We went to extremes and lost the centrist vote’ 31-12-2021 12:47 The president granted this interview after conversing with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. He began a long interview after a day full of tension, topped by the defeat of the Budget bill in Congress. by Jorge Fontevecchia
Politics Máximo Kirchner becomes chairman of Buenos Aires Province branch of PJ 26-12-2021 12:41 La Cámpora leader Máximo Kirchner formally assumes chairmanship of the Buenos Aires Province branch of the Justicialist (Peronist) Party.
As I see it A puzzle nobody wants 24-12-2021 08:35 While it is easy for opposition leaders to criticise the Kirchnerites for their handling of the economy and a great many other things, coming clean about what they themselves would do is far more difficult. by James Neilson
INTERVIEW / PERIODISMO PURO Aníbal Fernández: ‘The worst for Alberto has already happened’ 10-12-2021 23:30 Security Minister Aníbal Fernández on Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, his provocative rhetoric, political experience and why Argentina is beginning a new stage of government with a newly empowered Alberto Fernández. by Jorge Fontevecchia
ECONOMIC CRISES 2001 to 2021: Ticking time bomb 03-12-2021 23:41 Fast forward to today from 2001 and Argentina’s massive debt pile is still front and centre of the political discussion, as is the IMF and the possibility of default. by Agustino Fontevecchia
As I see it Does corruption matter? 03-12-2021 22:16 The blatant politicisation of the Judiciary does nothing to make Argentina look like a good place in which to do business. by James Neilson
As I see it Alberto in Wonderland 20-11-2021 00:00 If Alice had a world of her own, “nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn’t.” In the world of Alice’s spiritual descendant, the Peronist coalition own a resounding victory in Sunday’s elections after losing in Buenos Aires Province. No doubt Alice would have approved. by James Neilson
AND THAT REMINDS ME… An epic victory, or mythical? 20-11-2021 00:00 To my mind, last Sunday’s midterms have a historic significance for reasons other than those usually given – as heralding the end of Kirchnerism (although not necessarily Peronism) and that truly impressive Senate breakthrough, doubling opposition numbers in just six years. by Michael Soltys
ELECTIONS 2021: ANALYSIS With these results, Cristina loses control and quorum in the Senate 14-11-2021 22:12 Preliminary results confirm PASO losses in La Pampa, Chubut and Santa Fe. Add in the seats lost in Córdoba and Corrientes and Frente de Todos has just 35 senators to play with. by Gabriel Ziblat
ELECTIONS 2021 Polling stations close as authorities reveal turnout up to 71% 14-11-2021 18:52 Interior Minister Eduardo 'Wado' de Pedro confirms that 71% of voters had cast a ballot by the time polling stations closed at 6pm. When the PASO primaries were held last September, turnout reached 67%.
ELECTIONS 2021 Massa: Alberto Fernández 'will call for dialogue with opposition' after vote 14-11-2021 17:14 President "will call for dialogue with opposition" after midterm elections whatever the result, says Lower House speaker as he casts vote.
ELECTIONS 2021 Nation prepares to vote in bellwether election 12-11-2021 05:59 Country heads to the ballot box for crucial legislative elections that could determine President Alberto Fernández's ability to govern effectively for the next two years.
special report ‘Tío Gildo’: a modern-day caudillo in the heart of South America 05-11-2021 18:34 The astute politics of Formosa Governor Gildo Insfrán have helped the 70-year-old to climb to the top of his province’s government and stay there for more than three decades – a record in contemporary Argentina. With the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic, the intensity of his administration’s social control led to clashes with protesters, highlighting the institutional flaws that have permitted him to sustain his grip on power. by Cindy Monzón
EDITORIAL Is all the world a stage or something more? 29-10-2021 21:51 In general, green thinking in Argentine politics spells greenbacks rather than environmental conservation – a tendency underlined by the total absence of the issue in the electoral debates earlier this month.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Fernández flies to Rome for G20 with a dozen bilaterals on his agenda 29-10-2021 01:28 President has meetings lined up with Kristalina Georgieva, Angela Merkel, Pedro Sánchez, Úrsula von der Leyen, Queen Máxima and the director-general of the World Health Organisation, among others. by Rosario Ayerdi
DIPLOMACY Biden's nominee for US envoy criticises Argentina’s policy on Venezuela and Cuba 26-10-2021 16:36 Marc Stanley, Joe Biden’s nominee for next US ambassador to Argentina, uses confirmation hearing to criticise Argentina’s foreign policy approach on Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua, while calling for a “macroeconomic plan” from Alberto Fernández administration.
As I see it In the land of the magic money tree 22-10-2021 22:11 Capitalism is the only system that really works. Fighting it, as social justice warriors and politicians who seek to outbid them say is the duty of every decent person, is tantamount to waging war on prosperity. by James Neilson
Peronist loyalty day Peronist Loyalty Day rallies deliver IMF criticism and controversy 19-10-2021 11:11 Peronist Loyalty Day celebrated over two days with anti-IMF declarations, marchers trampling on stones honouring Covid victims, President Fernández noticeably absent and CGT marchers blocking traffic.
EDITORIAL One month (and two years) to go 16-10-2021 00:01 The Frente de Todos coalition is failing to come up with any new answers now that reality is finally starting to bite.
As I see it Peronism has its back against the wall 16-10-2021 00:01 In the eyes of a growing proportion of the country, Cristina, Alberto, Aníbal and the rest of them represent the very worst of a self-serving political elite whose members are more interested in their own personal welfare than anything else. by James Neilson
EDITORIAL The beginning of the end? 17-09-2021 22:07 The Frente de Todos coalition, with the vice-presidential tail wagging the presidential dog, has been a rare experiment premised on a united Peronism being big enough to contain its own historic contradictions by guaranteeing electoral victory and thus power. That myth was rudely shattered by last Sunday’s voting.
CRISIS GRIPS GOVERNMENT Crisis deepens as Fernández de Kirchner blasts president 17-09-2021 10:45 Vice-President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner has slammed President Alberto Fernández in an open letter, heightening the political crisis that has roiled the government since it lost an election Sunday.
PASO 2021: OPINION & ANALYSIS Facing up to defeat 14-09-2021 10:09 The defeat was logical enough, but in Argentina, the logical does not always happen. by Rosendo Fraga
ELECTIONS 2021: PASO PRIMARIES Frente de Todos doubles down in Buenos Aires Province 04-09-2021 10:09 Ruling coalition to stage two closing campaign rallies – Wednesday in Mar del Plata and Thursday at La Plata’s Estadio Unico stadium – as voting time draws near. Frente de Todos are confident of the race in Buenos Aires Province, but the opposition believes it’s more of an open contest. by Rosario Ayerdi
Dirty politics A hatchet job for the perfect punching bag 21-08-2021 09:26 President Alberto’s hypocrisy will lower the count in the most populous electoral district of the nation, along with his pseudo-apology, and his subsequent backtracking. Yet, Alberto was chosen specifically for this reason: he’s the perfect punching bag. by Agustino Fontevecchia
BEHIND THE DIPLOMATIC CURTAIN Secrets of Mr. Sullivan’s visit 11-08-2021 16:13 The White House’s top geopolitical advisor lunched at Olivos presidential residence last week, meeting ministers, businessmen and President Alberto Fernández. Vaccines, development and debt were among a broad range of conversation topics. by Gustavo González
INTERVIEW / PERIODISMO PURO Miguel Pichetto: ‘Argentina’s true debate is between capitalism and ideologies glorifying poverty’ 30-07-2021 23:36 Former senator and vice-presidential candidate, who today serves as the nation’s auditor general, discusses Republican Peronism, the upcoming elections and “political discipline is essential.” by Jorge Fontevecchia
EDITORIAL Sold down the river? 04-07-2021 00:13 State control over the Hidrovía Paraná-Paraguay waterway has been decreed for the next year at least, but the temporary has the nasty habit of becoming permanent in Argentina.
INTERVIEW / PERIODISMO PURO Julio Cobos: ‘If Bullrich runs, Rodríguez Larreta must present his candidate’ 05-06-2021 00:12 Radical Senator Julio Cobos, who served as vice-president in Cristina Fernández de Kirchner's first term in office, on the origins of the grieta rift, his party’s role in the opposition coalition and what a nation wants from a president. by Jorge Fontevecchia
MIDYEAR AND CHRISTMAS BONUSES Argentina’s famed ‘aguinaldo’ bonus – an explainer 04-06-2021 23:56 It’s that time of the year again and there’s renewed curiosity on social networks about the origins of Argentina’s famed ‘aguinaldo,’ the benefit received by workers twice a year. by Carlos Piro
Editorial Vaccines and votes – two V-words for V-signs 04-06-2021 22:55 Everything might seem to depend on vaccines but single-issue politics is unlikely to sway an election conditioned by multiple factors.
POLITICS & THE PANDEMIC What populism? 29-05-2021 11:24 Populism is cynical. Promises are made in exchange for a specific outcome, and not because they are fair or just. Taken to the extreme, this deepens polarisation. And we know that all too well. by Agustino Fontevecchia
GUEST VOICE What are you talking about folks? 28-05-2021 14:00 This has always been fascism, but with different costumes and masks... by Martín A. Morgenstern
BLOOMBERG – ANALYSIS Inflation near 50% puts Argentina on path that failed before 20-05-2021 16:04 Argentina’s new ban on exports of its famed beef won’t quell runaway inflation if previous interventions are any guide.
And that reminds me... The name of the rose 15-05-2021 15:33 All politics is local, it is often said, and socialism does have its pockets in Argentina, of which the late Lifschitz represented by far the largest, the province of Santa Fe. by Michael Soltys
INTERVIEW / PERIODISMO PURO Daniel Gollán: ‘These are extraordinary situations demanding extraordinary measures’ 15-05-2021 12:01 Buenos Aires Province Health Minister on the geopolitics of Covid-19 vaccines, what lies ahead and “extraordinary measures in extraordinary situations.” by Jorge Fontevecchia
Power & money Using Guzmán to undermine Alberto 01-05-2021 00:40 It goes without saying that if a minister is unable to dismiss an underling, a third-line official within his hierarchical structure, it’s the minister who should be abandoning ship. But it's not the economy minister’s authority that’s really at stake – it’s Alberto’s. by Agustino Fontevecchia
AND THAT REMINDS ME... Passing up PASO 10-04-2021 08:16 The PASO primaries system now stands at a crossroads between postponement, suspension and even elimination. Neither the government nor the opposition speak with a single voice on this issue where public health realities are as much a factor as political preferences. by Michael Soltys
AS I SEE IT Some lessons in elementary Chinese 03-04-2021 08:24 Unfortunately for many millions of people, Argentina has long been programmed to get poorer and the Kirchnerite government is clearly determined to ensure the slide downhill continues. by James Neilson
AS I SEE IT A country caught in a time warp 27-03-2021 07:57 Obsessed as they are by the world of almost half a century ago, Cristina and her admirers have little interest in the country they are now governing. by James Neilson
THE WEEK Situations vacant: Justice Ministry 20-03-2021 08:14 The president has sided with Cristina Fernández de Kirchner in her battle against the judicial branch. But will he sacrifice Guzmán if members of his coalition frown at any belt-tightening to meet those targets? by Martín Gambarotta