25-10-2017: Latin American Weekly Report

Argentina’s President Mauricio Macri surpassed expectations in mid-term congressional elections on 22 October. Defeating former president Cristina Fernández (2007-2015) would have been victory enough but Macri’s ruling centre-right Cambiemos swept the country’s five most populous electoral districts, a feat last achieved in 1985. Macri inflicted some crushing defeats on the main opposition Partido Justicialista (PJ, Peronists). Dominant for much of the last 70 years, the PJ has rarely looked so divided and dejected. A buoyant Macri will now move to roll out some major economic reforms. If they are successful, it is difficult to see anyone stopping him from winning re-election in 2019.