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Milei faces the 'digestible' Peronist ghost as 2027 election race heats up
🇦🇷 Argentina /Elections & Politics

Milei faces the 'digestible' Peronist ghost as 2027 election race heats up

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Analysis Named sources Ongoing story
  • Political strategists are preparing for the 2027 presidential election, with offices opening for Sergio Uñac's campaign.
  • Business interests, including mining and oil companies, are reportedly funding candidates, favoring "digestible" Peronist leaders over more radical alternatives like Axel Kicillof.
  • President Javier Milei's campaign sees Kicillof as an ideal opponent, believing a confrontation with a Kirchnerist figure would reinforce Milei's "anti-elite" stance, while polls show Milei needing a second-round victory.

The race for the 2027 Argentine presidential election is already taking shape, with campaign offices opening for Sergio Uñac, a potential candidate. His team is reportedly receiving contributions from various business sectors, including mining and oil companies.

If Peronism has to return, it's better that it be with a leader "digestible" for the business world.

— Unnamed source within Sergio Uñac's campaign teamReflecting the perceived preference of business interests for a moderate Peronist candidate.

These business interests appear to be hedging their bets, seeking a Peronist leader they deem "digestible" for the business world. This sentiment contrasts sharply with concerns about figures like Axel Kicillof, the governor of Buenos Aires province, whom the economic establishment views as a more radical alternative. Kicillof's potential candidacy is seen as the worst-case scenario for the business community, while President Javier Milei's camp views him as an ideal opponent.

The government, on the other hand, sees Kicillof as the ideal adversary. The candidate who arrives with a Kirchnerist past and, therefore, once again positions Milei on the side of the 'anti-elite.'

— Article analysisDescribing the Milei campaign's strategic view of Kicillof as an opponent.

Milei's strategists believe that facing a Kirchnerist candidate like Kicillof would allow them to rally support around Milei's "anti-elite" platform. However, current polling data suggests Milei might fall short of a first-round victory, making a second-round contest crucial. The campaign acknowledges that a runoff election would be more challenging unless it's against a Kirchnerist figure.

In a second round, everything would be more complicated, they say in his campaign teams, unless he confronted a Kirchnerist.

— Article analysisDetailing the Milei campaign's concerns about a potential second-round election.

Meanwhile, within the Peronist party, there's anticipation and maneuvering. Some factions are encouraged by the participation of figures like Kicillof and Máximo Kirchner in the same meetings, interpreting it as a sign of potential unity. Others, like Sergio Massa, are advised to remain silent until the political landscape shifts, given his current high rejection rate. Business leaders are also reportedly concerned about Milei's tight monetary and fiscal policies, leading some to consider alternative candidates like Jorge Brito or Daniel Hadad.

They greeted each other very well, 'how are you, how's it going,' they hugged.

— José MayansExpressing optimism about a meeting between Kicillof and Máximo Kirchner.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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