Overview
- The Senate postponed formal debate on the government’s omnibus electoral bill until August after leaders concluded they cannot gather the 37 votes needed to eliminate PASO.
- La Libertad Avanza controls 21 Senate seats and would need 16 additional votes to approve removal of the mandatory primaries, a shortfall highlighted by Patricia Bullrich’s warning that the votes do not exist.
- The reform package bundles many changes including a Ficha Limpia rule to bar candidates convicted in second instance, elimination or alteration of PASO for presidential and national legislative races, tighter nomination thresholds, major shifts in party financing, removal of free election advertising, repeal of mandatory presidential debates, and alterations to the Boleta Única.
- Officials say they are negotiating with UCR, PRO, provincial blocs and governors and are exploring compromises such as optional PASO or a one-time suspension for 2027, but those alternatives lack formal approval from the Presidency’s secretary general and no split treatment of Ficha Limpia has been accepted.
- PASO are Argentina’s mandatory nationwide primary elections used to choose party nominees and order ballots; postponing the vote gives the government two months to build backing and could change how parties pick candidates and how campaigns are funded and run in future elections.