Argentina's Mid-Term Elections: A Test For Macri's Free-Market Reforms?

Argentina's mid-term elections, which took place on 22nd October, have been hailed as a win for president Mauricio Macri, whose governing Cambiemos coalition won in 13 of the country's 23 provinces. Although Cambiemos fell short of an overall majority in Congress, the results of the elections are seen to signal support for Macri, who is expected to seek reelection in 2019.

Former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner won a seat in the province of Buenos Aires, in spite of coming a distant second in the race. More generally, the Peronist opposition suffered defeats in some traditional strongholds.

These congressional mid-terms were considered to be a barometer of current support for Macri and his reforms, and it now remains to be seen what these results signal for the rest of his term.

Canning House is delighted to welcome Colin Lewis, Professor Emeritus of Latin American Economic History at LSE, Francisco Panizza, Professor in Latin American Politics at LSE also, and Christopher Wylde, Associate Professor of International Relations at Richmond, the American University in London, to speak at this event. Lord Brennan, an Honorary Vice-President of Canning House, will chair the discussion.