Kicillof admits last Peronist government ‘didn’t work’

Buenos Aires Province Governor Axel Kicillof admitted Monday that Peronism’s last attempt at governing the nation “didn’t work” and blamed the breakdown for the election of Javier Milei as Argentina’s President.

During a video call with Peronist leaders in Entre Ríos Province aligned with his Movimiento Derecho al Futuro (Right to the Future Movement) party, Kicillof – seen as the movement’s likely presidential candidate in the 2027 election – called on the opposition to create a credible political alternative capable of challenging Milei’s ruling party.

The governor said that the disorganisation and the shortcomings of the previous administration had opened the door to the rise of Milei.

“This is a year for organisation because we come from a government that didn’t work, our government, and that also led to Milei governing today,” the governor said bluntly, referring to former president Alberto Fernández’s 2019-2023 government.

“We have to be able to explain to people – we have to be able to demonstrate to society as a whole – that we are an alternative. That will review what it did in the past and propose what is needed to pull the country out of the hole they are pushing it into,” said Kicillof, urging self-criticism.

The governor went on to outline what he sees as the main obstacles facing the opposition movement, highlighting “fragmentation and personal ambitions surfacing too early” as the first challenges that must be overcome.

For Kicillof, the current socio-economic context facing Argentines demands a reassessment of the priorities of both political leaders and activists, setting aside individual projects in favour of a collective tackling of society’s demands.

He said the next 12 months should be focused on resolving issues and management.

"This is not even a year for launching campaigns, candidacies or disputes of that kind,” said Kicillof. “It is a year for organisation, building structures, construction and standing alongside those who are suffering... so that we can reach 2027 with the political alternative capable of providing a way out of this situation."

"There can be no pettiness or old practices. We have to win the election out of responsibility and because history demands it."

"The force capable of bringing together an alternative to turn this situation around is Peronism. And obviously Peronism alone is not enough, but it has to be Peronism that leads."

– TIMES/NA/PERFIL