Argentine general election, 2003
Encyclopedia
Argentina
held presidential and parliamentary elections on Sunday, April 27, 2003. Turnout was 78.2% and the results were as follows:
), the Justicialist Party
(PJ) failed to agree on a presidential candidate, and three strong candidates emerged from this party: former President Carlos Menem
, Santa Cruz Province
Governor Néstor Kirchner
, and San Luis Province
Governor Adolfo Rodríguez Saá
. None were officially supported by the party, though President Eduardo Duhalde
publicly endorsed Governor Kirchner on January 15, 2003. The PJ suspended its January 24 convention, opting to allow the three contenders to run on the Peronist mantle. Justice had ruled that none of the candidates would be allowed to use the traditional Peronist iconography in detriment of the others.
For the first time since 1916, the UCR was not a major party in the election. After the political collapse at the peak of the economic crisis that led to the resignation of President Fernando de la Rúa
at the end of 2001, popular support for the PJ's traditional opponents, the centrist Radical Civic Union
(UCR), was at historically low levels. Two strong former members of the UCR founded parties based on their politics: Congresswoman Elisa Carrió
founded a left-of-center party, the ARI, and economist Ricardo López Murphy
founded a right-wing one, Recrear.
These five strong candidates were practically tied in all the pre-election polls. Menem obtained the most votes in the first round, but not enough to be elected (about 25%), so a runoff election
against Kirchner was required, and was scheduled for May 18. After two terms in office from 1989 to 1999, Menem's popularity was very low, and anticipating a landslide defeat (the polls favored Kirchner 70%–30%), he forfeited the runoff on May 14, and Néstor Kirchner immediately became the president-elect.
These elections were unprecedented in their staggered scheduling; indeed, legislators and governors were chosen over 15 different dates, during 2003. They were also, however, a return to political normalcy following a chaotic and economically depressed 2002. The Justicialist Party
, which was divided among three candidates in the presidential race, remained largely united in legislative and local races. They added 12 seats in the Argentine Chamber of Deputies
, as well as 2 governorships, and fears of a high number of dissident tickets did not materialize. The centrist Radical Civic Union
, senior partners in the ill-fated Alliance
that had returned them to power in 1999, were left with their smallest representation since 1954, though they were not replaced by the center-left ARI in a significant way; the ARI added but 2 Congressmen. Voters sentiment improved over 2001 levels (when the sentiment among many was that "they should all go"); but not significantly. Turnout increased only modestly, and the use of invalid votes declined from 24% to 15% from the tense 2001 elections. Voters in the important Santa Fe Province
, in particular, curbed their use of spoiled ballots from 30% to 20%.
President Néstor Kirchner
, who was brought into office when his opponent forfeited the May 2003 runoff, ended 2003 on a more secure footing than before these local and legislative elections. He benefited from allies such as the new governor of the paramount Buenos Aires Province
, Felipe Solá
, as well as the Mayor of Buenos Aires
, Aníbal Ibarra
. Argentina celebrated 20 years of continuous democratic rule on December 10, 2003, with a new government carrying generous numbers of allies in Congress and the provinces, as well as voters' high expectations.
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
held presidential and parliamentary elections on Sunday, April 27, 2003. Turnout was 78.2% and the results were as follows:
Argentine Congress
| Party/Electoral Alliance | Lower House Argentine Chamber of Deputies The Chamber of Deputies is the lower house of the Argentine National Congress. This Chamber holds exclusive rights to create taxes, to draft troops, and to accuse the President, the ministers and the members of the Supreme Court before the Senate.... Seats |
% of votes | Senate Argentine Senate The Argentine Senate is the upper house of the Argentine National Congress. It has 72 senators: three for each province and three for the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires... |
|---|---|---|---|
| Justicialist Party Justicialist Party The Justicialist Party , or PJ, is a Peronist political party in Argentina, and the largest component of the Peronist movement.The party was led by Néstor Kirchner, President of Argentina from 2003 to 2007, until his death on October 27, 2010. The current Argentine president, Cristina Fernández de... |
129 | 36.3% | 41 |
| UCR Radical Civic Union The Radical Civic Union is a political party in Argentina. The party's positions on issues range from liberal to social democratic. The UCR is a member of the Socialist International. Founded in 1891 by radical liberals, it is the oldest political party active in Argentina... |
54 | 14.2% | 16 |
| ARI | 13 | 8.0% | |
| Popular Movement for Buenos Aires (Buenos Aires Province Buenos Aires Province The Province of Buenos Aires is the largest and most populous province of Argentina. It takes the name from the city of Buenos Aires, which used to be the provincial capital until it was federalized in 1880... ) |
9 | 3.9% | |
| Commitment to Change Commitment to Change Commitment to Change is a centre-right political party in Argentina, principally active in the city of Buenos Aires.The party is led by Mauricio Macri, businessman and chairman of Boca Juniors football club. It has been active since he stood to be Mayor of Buenos Aires in 2003. He won the first... (City of Buenos Aires Buenos Aires Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent... ) |
5 | 4.0% | |
| Strength of Buenos Aires Alliance (City of Buenos Aires) |
4 | 1.5% | |
| Renewal Front Alliance (Misiones Province Misiones Province Misiones is one of the 23 provinces of Argentina, located in the northeastern corner of the country in the Mesopotamiсa region. It is surrounded by Paraguay to the northwest, Brazil to the north, east and south, and Corrientes Province of Argentina to the southwest.- History :The province was... ) |
4 | 1.1% | |
| Neuquén People's Movement (Neuquén Province Neuquén Province Neuquén is a province of Argentina, located in the west of the country, at the northern end of Patagonia. It borders Mendoza Province to the north, Rio Negro Province to the southeast, and Chile to the west... ) |
4 | 0.6% | 2 |
| Self-determination and Freedom Self-determination and Freedom The Self-determination and Freedom is a leftist political party in Argentina, with Luis Zamora as its most prominent member.... |
4 | 1.3% | |
| New Front Alliance Alliance New Front The Alliance New Front is a political electoral front in Argentina.The principal partners in the front are the New Party and the 'Neighbourly Union' and is mainly active in Córdoba Province... (Córdoba Province) |
3 | 2.7% | 1 |
| Republican Force (Tucumán Province Tucumán Province Tucumán is the most densely populated, and the smallest by land area, of the provinces of Argentina. Located in the northwest of the country, the capital is San Miguel de Tucumán, often shortened to Tucumán. Neighboring provinces are, clockwise from the north: Salta, Santiago del Estero and... ) |
3 | 0.8% | 2 |
| Others | 25 | 25.6% | 10 |
| Invalid votes | 14.5% | ||
| Total | 257 | 100.0% | 72 |
Background
For the first time since the return of democracy (1983Argentine general election, 1983
The Argentine general election of 1983 was held on 30 October and marked the return of Democracy after the 1976's dictatorship self-known as National Reorganization Process...
), the Justicialist Party
Justicialist Party
The Justicialist Party , or PJ, is a Peronist political party in Argentina, and the largest component of the Peronist movement.The party was led by Néstor Kirchner, President of Argentina from 2003 to 2007, until his death on October 27, 2010. The current Argentine president, Cristina Fernández de...
(PJ) failed to agree on a presidential candidate, and three strong candidates emerged from this party: former President Carlos Menem
Carlos Menem
Carlos Saúl Menem is an Argentine politician who was President of Argentina from 1989 to 1999. He is currently an Argentine National Senator for La Rioja Province.-Early life:...
, Santa Cruz Province
Santa Cruz Province (Argentina)
Santa Cruz is a province of Argentina, located in the southern part of the country, in Patagonia. It borders Chubut province to the north, and Chile to the west and south. To the east is the Atlantic Ocean...
Governor Néstor Kirchner
Néstor Kirchner
Néstor Carlos Kirchner was an Argentine politician who served as the 54th President of Argentina from 25 May 2003 until 10 December 2007. Previously, he was Governor of Santa Cruz Province since 10 December 1991. He briefly served as Secretary General of the Union of South American Nations ...
, and San Luis Province
San Luis Province
San Luis is a province of Argentina located near the geographical center of the country . Neighboring provinces are, from the north clockwise, La Rioja, Córdoba, La Pampa, Mendoza and San Juan.-History:...
Governor Adolfo Rodríguez Saá
Adolfo Rodríguez Saá
Adolfo Rodríguez Saá Páez Montero is an Argentine Peronist politician. He was the governor of the province of San Luis during several terms, and briefly served as President of Argentina.-Biography:...
. None were officially supported by the party, though President Eduardo Duhalde
Eduardo Duhalde
-External links:...
publicly endorsed Governor Kirchner on January 15, 2003. The PJ suspended its January 24 convention, opting to allow the three contenders to run on the Peronist mantle. Justice had ruled that none of the candidates would be allowed to use the traditional Peronist iconography in detriment of the others.
For the first time since 1916, the UCR was not a major party in the election. After the political collapse at the peak of the economic crisis that led to the resignation of President Fernando de la Rúa
Fernando de la Rúa
Fernando de la Rúa is an Argentine politician. He was president of the country from December 10, 1999 to December 21, 2001 for the Alliance for Work, Justice and Education ....
at the end of 2001, popular support for the PJ's traditional opponents, the centrist Radical Civic Union
Radical Civic Union
The Radical Civic Union is a political party in Argentina. The party's positions on issues range from liberal to social democratic. The UCR is a member of the Socialist International. Founded in 1891 by radical liberals, it is the oldest political party active in Argentina...
(UCR), was at historically low levels. Two strong former members of the UCR founded parties based on their politics: Congresswoman Elisa Carrió
Elisa Carrió
Elisa María Avelina Carrió is an Argentine politician, founder of the party initially known as Alternative for a Republic of Equals , now Civic Coalition ARI ....
founded a left-of-center party, the ARI, and economist Ricardo López Murphy
Ricardo López Murphy
Ricardo Hipólito López Murphy is an Argentine economist and politician.-Career:López Murphy was born in Adrogué, Buenos Aires Province. He attended the National University of La Plata, where he was awarded the title of "Licenciado en Economía" in 1975...
founded a right-wing one, Recrear.
These five strong candidates were practically tied in all the pre-election polls. Menem obtained the most votes in the first round, but not enough to be elected (about 25%), so a runoff election
Two-round system
The two-round system is a voting system used to elect a single winner where the voter casts a single vote for their chosen candidate...
against Kirchner was required, and was scheduled for May 18. After two terms in office from 1989 to 1999, Menem's popularity was very low, and anticipating a landslide defeat (the polls favored Kirchner 70%–30%), he forfeited the runoff on May 14, and Néstor Kirchner immediately became the president-elect.
Legislative races
Legislative and gubernatorial elections were held throughout 2003, with polls open in different provinces between April and November; average turnout was 70.8%.These elections were unprecedented in their staggered scheduling; indeed, legislators and governors were chosen over 15 different dates, during 2003. They were also, however, a return to political normalcy following a chaotic and economically depressed 2002. The Justicialist Party
Justicialist Party
The Justicialist Party , or PJ, is a Peronist political party in Argentina, and the largest component of the Peronist movement.The party was led by Néstor Kirchner, President of Argentina from 2003 to 2007, until his death on October 27, 2010. The current Argentine president, Cristina Fernández de...
, which was divided among three candidates in the presidential race, remained largely united in legislative and local races. They added 12 seats in the Argentine Chamber of Deputies
Argentine Chamber of Deputies
The Chamber of Deputies is the lower house of the Argentine National Congress. This Chamber holds exclusive rights to create taxes, to draft troops, and to accuse the President, the ministers and the members of the Supreme Court before the Senate....
, as well as 2 governorships, and fears of a high number of dissident tickets did not materialize. The centrist Radical Civic Union
Radical Civic Union
The Radical Civic Union is a political party in Argentina. The party's positions on issues range from liberal to social democratic. The UCR is a member of the Socialist International. Founded in 1891 by radical liberals, it is the oldest political party active in Argentina...
, senior partners in the ill-fated Alliance
Alliance for Work, Justice and Education
The Alliance for Work, Justice and Education was a party coalition in Argentina around the turn of the third millennium...
that had returned them to power in 1999, were left with their smallest representation since 1954, though they were not replaced by the center-left ARI in a significant way; the ARI added but 2 Congressmen. Voters sentiment improved over 2001 levels (when the sentiment among many was that "they should all go"); but not significantly. Turnout increased only modestly, and the use of invalid votes declined from 24% to 15% from the tense 2001 elections. Voters in the important Santa Fe Province
Santa Fe Province
The Invincible Province of Santa Fe, in Spanish Provincia Invencible de Santa Fe , is a province of Argentina, located in the center-east of the country. Neighboring provinces are from the north clockwise Chaco , Corrientes, Entre Ríos, Buenos Aires, Córdoba, and Santiago del Estero...
, in particular, curbed their use of spoiled ballots from 30% to 20%.
President Néstor Kirchner
Néstor Kirchner
Néstor Carlos Kirchner was an Argentine politician who served as the 54th President of Argentina from 25 May 2003 until 10 December 2007. Previously, he was Governor of Santa Cruz Province since 10 December 1991. He briefly served as Secretary General of the Union of South American Nations ...
, who was brought into office when his opponent forfeited the May 2003 runoff, ended 2003 on a more secure footing than before these local and legislative elections. He benefited from allies such as the new governor of the paramount Buenos Aires Province
Buenos Aires Province
The Province of Buenos Aires is the largest and most populous province of Argentina. It takes the name from the city of Buenos Aires, which used to be the provincial capital until it was federalized in 1880...
, Felipe Solá
Felipe Solá
Felipe Solá is an Argentine politician of the Justicialist Party and was the governor of the province of Buenos Aires until he left office in 2007....
, as well as the Mayor of Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
, Aníbal Ibarra
Aníbal Ibarra
Aníbal Ibarra is an Argentine lawyer and politician who served as mayor of Buenos Aires from 2000 to 2006.-Biography:Ibarra was born in Lomas de Zamora, a district located in the southern region of Greater Buenos Aires. His father was a Paraguayan member of the PLRA who left his country during the...
. Argentina celebrated 20 years of continuous democratic rule on December 10, 2003, with a new government carrying generous numbers of allies in Congress and the provinces, as well as voters' high expectations.
Candidates for President
- Front for VictoryFront for VictoryThe Front for Victory is a Peronist political party and electoral alliance in Argentina, although it is formally a faction of the Justicialist Party. Both the former President Néstor Kirchner and the current President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner belong to this party, located on the left-wing...
(center-left PeronismPeronismPeronism , or Justicialism , is an Argentine political movement based on the programmes associated with former President Juan Perón and his second wife, Eva Perón...
): Governor Néstor KirchnerNéstor KirchnerNéstor Carlos Kirchner was an Argentine politician who served as the 54th President of Argentina from 25 May 2003 until 10 December 2007. Previously, he was Governor of Santa Cruz Province since 10 December 1991. He briefly served as Secretary General of the Union of South American Nations ...
of Santa Cruz Province - Front for Loyalty (center-right Peronism): Former President Carlos MenemCarlos MenemCarlos Saúl Menem is an Argentine politician who was President of Argentina from 1989 to 1999. He is currently an Argentine National Senator for La Rioja Province.-Early life:...
of La Rioja ProvinceLa Rioja Province (Argentina)La Rioja is a one of the provinces of Argentina and is located in the west of the country. Neighboring provinces are from the north clockwise Catamarca, Córdoba, San Luis and San Juan.-History:... - Recreate for GrowthRecreate for GrowthRecreate for Growth was a conservative liberal political party in Argentina, that existed from 2002 to 2009.The party was formed in March 2002, mostly by market-oriented members of the Radical Civic Union, headed by Ricardo López Murphy....
(conservative): Former Minister of Economy Ricardo López MurphyRicardo López MurphyRicardo Hipólito López Murphy is an Argentine economist and politician.-Career:López Murphy was born in Adrogué, Buenos Aires Province. He attended the National University of La Plata, where he was awarded the title of "Licenciado en Economía" in 1975...
of Buenos AiresBuenos AiresBuenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent... - Front of the Popular MovementFront of the Popular MovementThe Front of the Popular Movement is peronist party in Argentina....
(centrist Peronism): Former President Adolfo Rodríguez SaáAdolfo Rodríguez SaáAdolfo Rodríguez Saá Páez Montero is an Argentine Peronist politician. He was the governor of the province of San Luis during several terms, and briefly served as President of Argentina.-Biography:...
of San Luis ProvinceSan Luis ProvinceSan Luis is a province of Argentina located near the geographical center of the country . Neighboring provinces are, from the north clockwise, La Rioja, Córdoba, La Pampa, Mendoza and San Juan.-History:... - Alternative for a Republic of Equals (Catholic left): Former Deputy Elisa CarrióElisa CarrióElisa María Avelina Carrió is an Argentine politician, founder of the party initially known as Alternative for a Republic of Equals , now Civic Coalition ARI ....
of Chaco ProvinceChaco ProvinceChaco is an Argentine province located in the north of the country, near the border with Paraguay. Its capital is Resistencia on the Paraná River opposite the city of Corrientes...