Argentina Government Fails to Secure Majority to End PASO Primaries

The Argentine executive has been unable to gather the congressional majorities required to abolish the open, simultaneous and compulsory primary elections (PASO) ahead of the 2027 electoral calendar. The reform needs 37 votes in the Senate and 129 in the Chamber of Deputies, but opposition from factions within the Unión Cívica Radical (UCR), the PRO and various provincial blocks blocks progress.

President Javier Milei’s administration, which views the PASO system as an unnecessary political and fiscal burden, is now weighing a fallback option: a temporary suspension of the primaries for the 2027 elections rather than a permanent elimination. Chief of Cabinet Diego Santilli is negotiating with provincial governors for political backing, while Senator Patricia Bullrich is leading outreach in the Senate. No definitive commitments have been secured, and the debate continues over broader electoral reforms such as alliance rules and campaign financing.