La Derecha Diario Aligned with Milei, Jalil seeks to eliminate the PASO in Catamarca
The decision has the support of La Libertad Avanza. The UCR, meanwhile, lamented the measure.
The governor of Catamarca, Raúl Jalil, moved forward with the call for extraordinary sessions in the provincial Legislature with the aim of suspending the Open, Simultaneous, and Mandatory Primaries (PASO).
This measure aligns with the national Government's strategy, which seeks the elimination of the PASO at the federal level.
A key debate in the Legislature
Jalil held meetings with leaders of the ruling party blocs to communicate the decision, highlighting that the project to suspend the PASO will be one of the main topics to be addressed during the legislative recess. Additionally, a moratorium for tax regularization will be discussed.
The governor reaffirmed his stance and showed alignment with other provincial leaders who seek the elimination of the primaries this year. "I said a while ago that the discussion should take place within political parties. We are observing, and there is a group of governors who agree with the elimination of the PASO," Jalil stated.
The arguments for and against
National deputy Sebastián Nóblega, close to the governor, justified the initiative by highlighting that the high costs of organizing the primaries affect provincial finances. "Governor Jalil has been talking with various sectors about the importance of suspending the PASO to prioritize the growth and development of the province," he argued.
In contrast, opposition sectors rejected the measure. The Radical Civic Union (UCR) expressed its disagreement, considering that the elimination of the PASO restricts the internal democracy of the parties and citizen participation. "Eliminating the PASO weakens institutional quality and allows candidates to be chosen arbitrarily," they stated in a communiqué.
Support from La Libertad Avanza
In a significant political shift, the La Libertad Avanza bloc in Catamarca supported the governor's proposal.
Libertarian deputy Federico Lencina assured that his group had already presented a similar project and would support the measure in the Legislature. "We hope for its prompt consideration in extraordinary sessions," he stated.
Political impact and next steps
The debate in the Catamarca Legislature will set a precedent in the provincial and national political scene. Meanwhile, as the National Senate defines the elimination of the PASO at the federal level, Jalil's decision reinforces the trend of some governors to avoid the primary electoral instance.
The vote in Catamarca will be key to defining the electoral course of the province and its alignment with the national Government's political strategy.
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