Argentina's Governor Raúl Jalil calls for elimination of PASO primaries

Governor Raúl Jalil of Catamarca reaffirmed his support for scrapping the open, simultaneous and mandatory primary elections (PASO), saying they have become a costly measure that no longer fulfills their original purpose. His comments revived debate over the province’s electoral system and the broader political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections, with speculation about possible alliances with the libertarian coalition La Libertad Avanza.

Former national deputy Jorge Enríquez also voiced strong opposition to the use of collector lists, labeling them a “fraud” that confuses voters and undermines a free, informed vote. Enríquez backed Jalil’s call for a permanent abolition of PASO, citing past decrees that prohibited collector lists and warning that such mechanisms distort party representation and favor undesirable alliances.