The Ghost Train of Peronism

Argentina's Peronist party is likened to a "ghost train" carrying discredited figures toward next year's elections, with no generational replacement or viable proposals in sight. The party's discourse is described as obsolete and out of sync with the times.

Cristina Kirchner, permanently disqualified from holding public office due to a corruption conviction, attempts to remain politically relevant through misleading slogans and outright lies about her legal situation. She reportedly aims to dictate candidacies for 2027 as the national PJ president, with her Constitución neighborhood residence functioning as a de facto "basic unit."

Recent speculation suggests Kirchner might back her son, Máximo Kirchner, to succeed Axel Kicillof as governor of Buenos Aires province, despite Kicillof's own conflicts with the La Cámpora faction. Both father and son are criticized for their limited achievements and questionable family wealth. Kicillof, nearing the end of two consecutive terms as governor, faces scrutiny from Buenos Aires residents for persistent poverty, insecurity, and poor health and education standards in the province, which has been under Peronist rule for decades.

There is no indication of Peronism purifying itself soon. While Kicillof attempts to mend fences with mayors by offering support for indefinite re-elections, Kirchnerism convenes rallies to denounce the governor, offering the same hollow promises as their internal rival. The party's recent unity has been around criticizing Brazilian President Lula da Silva after Javier Milei's remarks. This episode provided an unexpected, albeit useless, excuse for the Peronists to signal their potential unity for the 2027 elections, despite internal squabbles. This alignment against Milei's comments brought together Kirchnerism, Kicillofism, and Sergio Massa's faction, all travelers on the party's "ghost train."

Sergio Massa, the former Economy Minister who left office with extremely high monthly inflation in December 2023 and failed in his presidential bid, now presents himself as a potential mediator between Cristina Kirchner and Kicillof. They all represent the same group that previously governed, failed spectacularly, and continues to hold sway.