President Alberto Fernández of Argentina stepped down from attempting re-election today in a video published on social media.
The unpopular center-left president was under pressure from members of his own coalition, most notably Vice President Cristina Kirchner, who clashed with him through most of his tenure despite handpicking him as her candidate in 2019.
“I never put personal interests over the interests of the collective. As a Peronist militant, I always knew that it was country first, our movement later, and individual men at last. And I am going to stick to those priorities,” Mr. Fernández said. “On December 10, on the 40th anniversary of our democracy, I will hand the presidential sash to whoever wins at the ballot boxes.”
Peronist party officials were scheduled to meet today to discuss a strategy for the 2023 election, and President Fernández was set to receive massive internal criticism for his insistence on running for a second term in office. Now, the meeting will likely center around what to do next and who the candidates for the August primaries and October general elections should be.
Centrist Economy Minister Sergio Massa was seen as a potential candidate for the presidency after securing the backing of the Kirchners, but inflation figures above 100 percent and a continued run against the peso make him far from an ideal fit for the campaign.
Vice President Kirchner said she would not run, but there will undoubtedly be some clamor for her to try her chances once more, looking to at least rally the vote of core Peronist supporters and propel congressional and local candidates despite current party weakness.
The list of potential Peronist presidential candidates is now long and full of uncertainties, including Buenos Aires Province Governor Axel Kicillof, Interior Minister Wado de Pedro, social leader Juan Grabois (all of them allies of Ms. Kirchner), former presidential candidate Daniel Scioli, Cabinet Chief Agustín Rossi (closer to Mr. Fernández), and more.
Former center-right President Mauricio Macri also stepped down from re-election last month, opening the door to a broader political renewal in Argentina.
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