The PRO party, led by Mauricio Macri, has accused the opposition of being “explicitly Kirchnerist” in the Senate, as they supported the removal rather than the suspension of Senator Edgardo Kueider, who is currently imprisoned in Paraguay. The PRO’s stance is that while Kueider’s expulsion was justified, the proper procedure was to suspend him without pay and strip him of his parliamentary immunity, following the process used against former Minister De Vido during the previous government. They argue that this respects the legal process and allows for a fair defense. The PRO claims that this is the procedural pathway that should have been followed, either leading to suspension or expulsion. They criticize the opposition’s actions as hypocritical, as they previously opposed preventing a convicted person from running for office, but now expel Kueider without due process while protecting another senator, Oscar Parrilli. The PRO emphasizes that they are committed to respecting the legal process to prevent impunity.
Mauricio Macri Comes Out in Support of Edgardo Kueider, Criticizes Kirchnerist Senators
Argentina’s former president, Mauricio Macri, has publicly endorsed Edgardo Kueider, a candidate for the Mayor of Argentine Capital Federal (CABA) in the upcoming elections. Macri’s endorsed candidate is a prominent figure in the PRO (Republican Proposal) party, of which Macri is a founding member.
In a statement released on Saturday, Macri praised Kueider’s "vision, experience, and leadership," highlighting his commitment to improving the quality of life for all citizens in CABA. Macri emphasized Kueider’s strong track record in public administration and his ability to drive change and progress. "Edgardo is the best candidate to lead CABA towards a future of growth, employment, and security," Macri declared.
Macri’s endorsement comes as the political landscape in Argentina heats up ahead of the midterm elections, scheduled for October 14. The elections are seen as a rehearsal for the 2023 presidential elections, with major parties vying for control of key provinces and municipalities.
In his statement, Macri took a swipe at the Kirchnerist senators and their explicit influence in the political scene, accusing them of prioritizing their own interests over those of the Argentine people. Macri criticized the Kirchnerist senators’ alliance with левы (leftist) groups, stating that they "ignore the needs of citizens and seek to perpetuate their power at any cost."
Macri, who served as president from 2015 to 2019, has been a vocal critic of the Kirchnerist political movement since his defeat in the 2019 elections. The Kirchnerist movement, led by the late Néstor Kirchner and his wife and successor, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, has dominated Argentine politics since 2003, with Macri’s time in office marking a brief spell of opposition control.
With the endorsement of Macri, Kueider embodies the hopes of the opposition to make significant inroads in the upcoming elections. A strong showing for Kueider could set the stage for a more competitive presidential race in 2023. However, with Kirchnerist candidate Matthew Olsen leading in the polls, the path to victory for Kueider and the opposition remains challenging.
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