President Javier Milei is set to introduce a sweeping electoral reform bill to the Argentine Congress this week, marking another attempt to dismantle the country's institutional status quo. The proposal centers on the elimination of the Primary, Open, Simultaneous, and Mandatory (PASO) elections—a distinctive feature of the Argentine political landscape that functions as a high-stakes, state-funded national rehearsal for general elections.
Beyond the removal of the PASO system, the legislative package seeks to overhaul the country's campaign finance framework. By tightening the rules on how political movements are funded and organized, the Milei administration aims to reduce the fiscal burden of the electoral cycle while simultaneously increasing transparency in a system often criticized for its inefficiency.
The bill also includes a "clean slate" provision that would prohibit individuals with criminal convictions from seeking public office. This move, while framed as a moral necessity, carries significant weight in a political environment where several high-profile figures have faced long-standing legal challenges. If passed, the reform would represent a fundamental recalibration of how power is sought and secured in Buenos Aires.
With reporting from InfoMoney.
Source · InfoMoney
