Milei moves to eliminate Argentina's primaries in election reform push

President Javier Milei announced from Israel midweek that his government will send an electoral reform bill to Congress that would, among other changes, eliminate the PASO primaries.

The proposed reform would radically shake up Argentina’s elections. As well as changes to political financing, it would also introduce the so-called ‘Ficha Limpia’ or “clean slate” rule banning the candidacies of individuals convicted for corruption.

The ‘Ficha Limpia’ bill is a longstanding policy pushed by several right-wing parties, most notably PRO. It was close to winning approval last year, though stumbled in the Senate. 

Under the rule, individuals convicted in a second instance of crimes such as corruption will be ineligible to be candidates or party leaders – a threshold that would, for example, prevent ex-president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner from running for office.

The main goal, however, is to scrap the Primary, Open, Simultaneous, and Mandatory (PASO) primaries nationwide. Although a law was passed in 2025 suspending them for that year's national elections, their overall eradication is not yet confirmed. 

The ruling party argues that leadership disputes and candidacies should be resolved without state intervention or support. Interior Minister Diego Santilli recently claimed that scrapping the PASOs would save “more than US$200 million.”

Milei’s government says the PASOs must be scrapped, though some sectors see it as more prudent to suspend them again.

President Milei announced the reform push on social media. He said the changes would “end impunity” and stop forcing Argentines “to pay for the internal elections of the caste.”

Milei further argued that a new financing scheme would prevent professional politicians from living off public funds, remarking that the reform seeks “to end privilege” in the political sphere.

“The vote of each deputy and senator on this bill will be very revealing. Those opposed will make it evident that they see politics as a business,” said La Libertad Avanza national deputy Lilia Lemoine in her social networks.

“No honest political party can oppose this agenda. This is not an election year. There are no excuses,” agreed Communications & Press Secretary Javier Lanari.

A government team, led by presidential advisor Santiago Caputo and Legal & Technical Secretary María Ibarzábal Murphy, began working on the initiative some months ago. 

The bill also tightens the requirements for the creation and operation of political parties. To obtain legal status, parties would have to reach a minimum number of members, comply with a formal structure and demonstrate a presence in various districts. 

Stricter controls are established for their continued existence; they could lose their status if they fail to hold internal elections, participate in national elections or reach a minimum threshold of representation.

Another key aspect is party financing, with greater controls and restrictions introduced . Only officially recognised parties will be able to receive state funding, while donations from anonymous or foreign sources, or linked to sectors such as unions or concessionaires, will be prohibited. Furthermore, a cap will be placed on private contributions and greater transparency will be required in campaign spending.

Public funding will be distributed partly equally and partly according to the votes received , seeking to balance representation and equity . It is also established that all transactions must be processed through controlled bank accounts , and the hiring of foreign services is restricted to prevent external influence.

The goal is to limit irregular contributions , ensure greater traceability of money , and distribute public funds with clearer criteria, combining fairness between parties and electoral weight .

The government previously managed to advance with electoral reform, securing congressional support for the introduction of the BUP (Boleta Única de Papel) single paper ballot for national elections, which made their debut in last year’s midterms. 

The old system of multiple ballots remains valid in Buenos Aires Province where the Peronists defeated La Libertad Avanza in last September’s provincial midterms.

– TIMES/PERFIL/NA