October 17 and the PJ-Peronist labyrinth

On October 17, journalist Maru Duffard interviewed National deputy Máximo Kirchner, who had previously spoken with Duffard a week earlier. This second interview lasted over an hour, and it is clear that Peronists are still enamored with President Javier Milei, unlike former President Mauricio Macri, whom they appear to view less favorably than Milei.

This fascination with Milei highlights the deep-seated anti-republican and autocratic tendencies within Kirchnerism, which share similar genes with Milei. Argentines seem to prefer decisive leaders over the system of rules democracy provides, as many are drawn to the hypothetical promise of efficiency offered by a decisive leader.

Máximo Kirchner indicated that if his side returned to power, they would review every investment project approved under Milei’s Régimen de Incentivo para Grandes Inversiones (Large Investment Incentive Regime, or ‘RIGI’). This stance echoed comments made by La Rioja Province Governor Ricardo Quintela, who stated that if Peronists were in government, they would expropriate any actions of Milei’s administration deemed necessary.

Peronist leader Sergio Massa reportedly warned Quintela to tone down his remarks in order to avoid a public contradiction by the broader national Peronist movement.

In a first interview, Máximo Kirchner mentioned that when Massa became economy minister under the de facto overseer of Alberto Fernández’s government, he was offered a ministerial post amidst rumors of a possible internal ticket to challenge Kicillof – dubbed “MaMá” after a perceived agreement between Massa and Máximo. Various rumors have emerged recently about a ticket that could challenge Kicillof in a primary, featuring Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and Gerardo Zamora.

This scenario suggests Cristina would run as a testimonial candidate, with Zamora leading should she win.

Cristina Fernández de Kirchner's candidacy could be contested in primary elections, where she might run as a testimonial candidate rather than being barred from running. Reports also suggest that if the PASO primaries remained in place, Cristina may have a few months to run symbolically while under house arrest, even if a judge from Santa Cruz Province authorizes her candidacy.

Zamora is once again being considered as Fernández de Kirchner’s chosen candidate, given his strong provincial record and base in Argentina’s interior.