There are circumstances that are not typical for democracy, such as complete opposition to the president’s policies from the first day in office or the absolute unwillingness on the part of the national executive to dialogue with three governors from the main opposition party. Among them is the Governor of Buenos Aires, Axel Kiselov, who has had to administer a state with scarce resources: the people of Buenos Aires receive through the Common Participation Law just over half of what they contribute. This is a distinction arising from a rule that, according to the Constitution, should have limited validity. Thus, the good or sometimes bad faith of the national government largely determines the funds available to the province, which are always insufficient.
On the other hand, the suspension of public works ordered by Miley directly affects the province of Buenos Aires and affects agricultural production, as is the case with the suspension of work on the Salado River, the failure of which leads to frequent floods.
This not only harms agricultural producers in the affected areas, but also food production, which generates foreign exchange that the Central Bank and National Treasury urgently need.
The tradition is broken
In this context, the president’s position breaks with a tradition – if it can be called that – respected by Raul Alfonsin, Carlos Menem, Fernando de la Rua and Mauricio Macri, who have never refused to allow ministers and secretaries to dialogue with opposition leaders. It is true that Kiselov remains a staunch opponent of each of the president’s projects, but the economic stranglehold does not only punish the ruler.
In this scenario of comprehensive confrontation, it seems difficult to move forward towards an agreement that allows the approval of the draft budget, which obtained parliamentary status last Wednesday. Added to this is the internal nature of Peronism, which today is divided into two seemingly irreconcilable sectors, which complicates the ruler’s political goals. On the one hand, their legislators; On the other hand, those who respond to Kirchnerism or Sergio Massa. The urgency of the regional ruling party has been explained because on December 10 the Liberals will increase their representation in both chambers and, as expected, will arrive with a mandate to support an equally closed opposition.
Religion
For Kiselov, it is necessary to obtain permission to assume a debt of just under $2 billion, which is necessary to ensure the normal functioning of the regional administration and carry out basic work in the field of health and safety and maintenance of key production routes. To approve this debt, a special two-thirds majority is required in both chambers: 62 deputies and 24 senators. After the September 13 elections, Peronism will have 39 deputies (add two) and 24 senators (add three). As noted, the number in the Chamber of Deputies is far from what is necessary, and, moreover, these 39 legislators will not accompany without first agreeing with the other internal sector, where La Campora and the Renewal Front are lined up. Last year it was not possible to approve the budget or debt request. If the situation is repeated, the county administration will be involved in a serious crisis. For Kiselovism, it is impossible to negotiate with legislators from other parties if you do not first obtain full support from them.
Attitudes
The deep economic and social crisis is eroding the electoral power of Peronism, not only in Buenos Aires but also at the national level. However, the majority of judiciaries adopted a dialogical opposition position, so liberals do not necessarily need the support of national legislators in Peronist Buenos Aires to approve laws they consider essential. With the exception of the three leaders excluded from the dialogue, the conservatives chose a more constructive opposition. This unity weakens those who maintain full confrontation with the national government and leaves them to their own devices. But in the case of Buenos Aires Province, Casa Rosada cannot ignore the impact that a potential social outbreak could have in Conurbano, where millions live in conditions of extreme poverty and depend on municipalities and the province receiving minimal funds to meet basic needs.
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