1995 Argentine general election

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1995 Argentine general election
Flag of Argentina.svg
Presidential election
  1989 14 May 1995 1999  
Registered22,178,201
Turnout82.08%
  Menem con banda presidencial (recortada).jpg Jose Octavio Bordon.png 3x4.svg
Nominee Carlos Saúl Menem José Octavio Bordón Horacio Massaccesi
Party PJ PAIS UCR
Alliance Justicialist Front FREPASO UCR + MID
Running mate Carlos Ruckauf Carlos Álvarez Antonio María Hernández
States carried23 CABA 0
Popular vote8,687,5115,096,1042,956,137
Percentage49.94%29.30%16.99%

Mapa de las Elecciones Argentina 1995.png
Most voted party by province and department

President before election

Carlos Menem
Justicialist Party

Elected President

Carlos Menem
Justicialist Party

Legislative election
  1993 14 May 1995 1997  

130 of 257 seats in the Chamber of Deputies
Turnout82.08%
PartyVote %Seats+/–
Chamber of Deputies
Justicialist Party 49.38%75+5
Radical Civic Union 21.94%27−14
Solidary Country Front 21.23%21+16
Movement for Dignity and Independence 1.84%0−4
Democratic Progressive Party 0.94%10
Autonomist - Liberal - Democratic Progressive 0.93%20
Others 3.74%40
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.

The Argentine general election of 1995 was held on 14 May. Voters chose both the President and their legislators and with a turnout of 82.1%. It became the first election in post-1983 Argentina to use the direct vote system, as the electoral college was abolished by 1995.

Contents

Background

The Justicialist Party had been founded in 1945 by Juan Perón, largely on the promise of greater self-reliance, increased state ownership in the economy and a shift in national policy to benefit "the other half" of Argentine society. Taking office on Perón's ticket in 1989 amid the worst crisis in a hundred years, President Carlos Menem had begun the systematic sell-off of Argentina's array of State enterprises, which had produced nearly half the nation's goods and services. Following 18 months of very mixed results, in February 1991 Menem reached out to his Foreign Minister, Domingo Cavallo, whose experience as an economist included a brief but largely positive stint as the nation's Central Bank president in 1982. His introduction of a fixed exchange rate via his Convertibility Plan led to sharp drops in interest rates and inflation, though the sudden recovery and Cavallo's fixed exchange rate (converted to 1 peso per dollar in 1992) led to a fivefold jump in imports (far outpacing the flush growth in demand). A wave of layoffs after 1992 created a tense labor climate often worsened by the flamboyant Menem, who also diluted basic labor laws, leading to less overtime pay and increasing unemployment and underemployment. Private-sector lay-offs, dismissed as a natural consequence of recovering productivity (which had not risen in 20 years), added to mounting state enterprise and government layoffs, leading to a rise in unemployment from 7% in 1992 to 12% by 1994 (after GDP had leapt by a third in just four years). In this policy irony lay the Justicialists' greatest weakness ahead of the 1995 election. [1]

The election itself created yet another unexpected turn. Barred from immediate reelection by the 1853 Argentine Constitution, President Menem reached out to his predecessor and head of the embattled centrist Radical Civic Union (UCR), Raúl Alfonsín. Meeting at the presidential residence in Olivos in November 1993 to negotiate an extensive amendment of the Constitution, the two leaders came to an agreement of mutual benefit: Alfonsín obtained the direct election of the mayor of (UCR-leaning) Buenos Aires (depriving the presidency of a right held since 1880 to appoint its mayor) and an expansion in the Argentine Senate from 48 to 72 members (3 per province), which would assure the runner-up (presumably the UCR) the third seat; Menem, in return, secured his right to run for reelection. [1] [2]

Both men faced dissension in their parties' ranks after the 1994 reform of the Argentine Constitution was unveiled in August. Alfonsín's candidate in the UCR primaries, Río Negro Province Governor Horacio Massaccesi, defeated Federico Storani and Rodolfo Terragno for the nomination over their opposition to the Olivos Pact. Menem, in turn, had lost a number of Congressmen from his party after Carlos Álvarez led a center-left splinter group in revolt over Menem's privatizations and unchecked corruption. His Frente Grande had become influential after merging with fellow ex-Peronist José Octavio Bordón in 1994, ahead of the May 14, 1995, election date. Bordón, a popular Mendoza Province Senator was a centrist who also lent the leftist Álvarez, whose strength was in Buenos Aires, appeal in Argentina's hinterland (which had benefited least from the 1991-94 boom). They combined forces to create the FREPASO, adding Argentina's struggling Socialists. [3]

The new constitutional rules governing elections provided opportunities for parties stuck in 2nd or 3rd place in the polls, as the Frepaso and UCR were, respectively. Bypassing the previous electoral college system, a victory by direct proportional voting could be achieved by either through a run-off election (in case no candidate obtained a clear majority). The Justicialists enjoyed a clear advantage, given polls and their control of both chambers of Congress; but cracks began to develop as 1994 drew to a close. Local prosperity, the guarantor of Menem's presumptive victory, was shaken by the Mexican peso crisis in December. Dependent on foreign investment to maintain its central bank reserves (which fell by US$6 billion in days), its sudden scarcity led to a wave of capital flight out of Buenos Aires' growing banks and to an unforeseen recession. Concurrent revelations of gross corruption surrounding the purchase of IBM computers for the antiquated National Bank of Argentina (the nation's largest), further added to the opposition's hopes that a runoff might still be needed in May. [3]

Between them, the Frepaso enjoyed the advantage. Sporting charismatic leadership, they hoped to displace the UCR (Argentina's oldest existing party) from its role as the Peronists' chief opposition. The UCR had been badly tarnished by President Raúl Alfonsín's chaotic 1983-89 term, though its candidate, Río Negro Province Governor Horacio Massaccesi, had earned international renown in 1991 for storming a local National Bank branch in search of needed funds being retained by the federal government for what seemed to be political reasons. [4] The UCR, moreover, still had its name recognition and organized, if frayed political machinery, controlled by Alfonsín and popular Córdoba Province Governor Eduardo Angeloz. As election day drew near, analysts debated not only the possibility of a runoff, but also which of the two opposition parties would face Menem in such a case. [5]

Ultimately, corruption and the sudden recession were not enough to keep the unflappable Menem from a first-round victory. The big tent Justicialist Party, allied in many districts to local parties, formed an electoral front which obtained almost half of the total vote. The Frepaso garnered nearly 30%, and though their hopes for a runoff were stymied, this was considered a very good result for a party assembled only the previous year. Frepaso, however, came ahead in the presidential race only in two districts: Santa Fe Province and the city of Buenos Aires. The UCR, a major political force in Argentina since the beginning of the 20th century, came in third with only 17% of the vote. [6]

All provinces except Corrientes also elected governors during 1995; several but not all provinces conducted their elections on the same date as the national one. A number of municipalities elected legislative officials (concejales) and in some cases also a mayor. The Justicialists obtained 14 of the 23 governorships and the UCR, 5. Among Argentina's larger cities, only Bahía Blanca and Mar del Plata kept a UCR mayor (though Buenos Aires would elect one in 1996). [7] [8]

The legislative elections, where half the seats in the Argentine Chamber of Deputies were contested, saw the Justicialists obtain a large majority (more votes that its two closest opponents combined), losing in only 5 districts out of 24; of the 130 seats in play, they secured 75, the UCR, 28 seats, and Frepaso obtained 20 seats. The UCR lost 15 and, on a district basis, they did not get the majority vote in any district. The Frepaso won in the city of Buenos Aires and picked up 12 seats. Local parties won in two districts (Salta Province and Neuquén Province). The newly expanded Argentine Senate, as Menem and Alfonsín had intended, benefited both parties. [7] [8]

Candidates for president

Results

President

Presidential
candidate
Vice Presidential
candidate
PartyVotes%
Carlos Menem Carlos Ruckauf Total Menem - Ruckauf8,687,51149.94
Justicialist Party (PJ)6,300,05736.22
Justicialist Front691,4813.98
Union of the Democratic Centre (UCEDE)456,5942.62
Popular Justicialist Front (FREJUPO)382,4472.20
Front of Hope215,5311.24
Justicialist Front for Victory129,2900.74
Ethical Recovery Front103,0140.59
Front for Change99,2300.57
Retirees Front74,5610.43
Salta Renewal Party (PARES)73,2020.42
Chaco Action (ACHA)49,8210.29
Federal Party of Buenos Aires City (PF)48,2870.28
Blockist Party (PB)32,8410.19
Jujuy People's Movement (MPJ)22,3860.13
Movement for Jujuy Political Autonomy4,9350.03
Chubut Popular Movement3,6420.02
José Octavio Bordón Carlos Álvarez Total Bordón - Álvarez5,096,10429.30
Solidary Country Front (FREPASO)4,934,98928.37
Broad Front Crusade57,3110.33
Broad Front (FG)54,0080.31
PAIS Front28,3820.16
Left Movement21,4140.12
Horacio Massaccesi Antonio María HernándezTotal Massaccesi - Hernández2,956,13716.99
Radical Civic Union (UCR)2,773,03715.94
Alliance for Patagonia84,1720.48
Radical Civic Union - Integration and Development Movement 57,0820.33
Integration and Development Movement (MID)30,5880.18
Federal Party of Córdoba (PF)11,2580.06
Aldo Rico Julio César Fernández PezzanoTotal Rico - Fernández Pezzano310,0691.78
Movement for Dignity and Independence (MODIN)291,3061.67
Republican Force of Jujuy (FR)15,6020.09
Independence Party3,1610.02
Fernando Solanas Carlos ImizcozSouthern Alliance71,6250.41
Fernando López de ZavalíaPedro Benejam Republican Force of Tucumán (FR)64,0070.37
Luis Zamora Silvia Susana Díaz Workers' Socialist Movement (MST)45,9730.26
Jorge Altamira Norma Graciela MolleTotal Altamira - Molle32,2990.19
Workers' Unit Front - Workers' Party 28,3290.16
Workers' Party (PO)2,7890.02
Workers' Unit Front1,1810.01
Mario MazzitelliAlberto Raúl Fonseca Authentic Socialist Party (PSA)32,1740.18
Lía MéndezLiliana Beatriz Ambrosio Humanist Party (PH)31,2030.18
Alcides ChristiansenJosé Alberto Montes Movement for Socialism - Socialist Workers' Party (MAS - PTS)27,6430.16
Humberto TuminiJorge Emilio ReynaFree Homeland24,3260.14
Amílcar SantuchoIrma AntognazziTotal Santucho - Antognazzi13,0660.08
Anti-Imperialist Popular Democratic Movement (MODEPA)12,9190.07
Solidarity1470.00
Ricardo Alberto Paz [note 1] Adolfo González ChávezFront for Patriotic Coincidence (FRECOPA)3,1470.02
Total17,395,284100
Positive votes17,395,28495.56
Blank votes653,4433.59
Invalid votes125,1120.69
Tally sheet differences30,0850.16
Total votes18,203,924100
Registered voters/turnout22,178,20182.08
Sources: [9] [10]

Chamber of Deputies

PartyVotes%Seats wonTotal seats
Justicialist Front (PJ)8,371,13249.3875145
Radical Civic Union (UCR)3,718,92021.942768
Solidary Country Front (FREPASO)3.599.76421.232126
Movement for Dignity and Independence (MODIN)311,9871.844
Democratic Progressive Party (PDP)158,8570.9412
Autonomist - Liberal - Democratic Progressive 158,2690.9324
Republican Force (FR)119,5460.7112
Democratic Party of Mendoza (PD)114,5810.6812
Southern Alliance83,4340.49
Neuquén People's Movement (MPN)60,7810.3612
Authentic Socialist Party (PSA)38,9090.23
Workers' Socialist Movement (MST)31,0620.18
Solidarity21,7180.13
Workers' Party (PO)27,2950.16
Free Homeland19,6850.12
Movement for Socialism - Socialist Workers' Party (MAS - PTS)21,9250.13
Renewal Party of the Buenos Aires Province13,4140.08
Blue and White Movement12,0910.07
Solidarity Confederation12,0640.07
Labor Party10,4860.06
Fuegian People's Movement (MOPOF)7,6830.0512
Humanist Party (PH)7,8770.05
Centrist Front4,4370.03
Independent Call4,2570.03
Order and Justice3,3670.02
Chubut Action Party (PACH)3,3130.02
Intransigent Party (PI)2,4840.01
Christian Democratic Party (PDC)2,2550.01
Provincial Union2,1710.01
Open Policy for Social Integrity - Great Movement of Hope1,6160.01
Catamarca Unity Party1,2710.01
Jujuy Solidarity1,2580.01
Front for Patriotic Awareness (FRECOPA)1,0380.01
Popular Union (UP)8720.01
Salta Labor Party7520.00
Front of Hope (Catamarca)6540.00
Corrientes Action5810.00
Autonomist Party5620.00
Santa Cruz Unity Movement5280.00
Solidarity Movement4110.00
Modernist Force4040.00
Social Democratic Party (PSODE)1120.00
Total16,953,823100130257
Positive votes16,953,82393.14
Blank votes1,087,3345.97
Invalid votes122,9950.68
Tally sheet differences38,5000.21
Total votes18,202,652100
Registered voters/turnout22,177,95482.08
Sources: [11] [10]

Results by province

ProvincePJUCRFREPASOOthers
Votes%SeatsVotes%SeatsVotes%SeatsVotes%Seats
Buenos Aires 3,385,36652.54201,157,59717.9761,549,75024.059350,8595.45
Buenos Aires City 804,41939.944408,53720.283704,72034.99596,4554.79
Catamarca 58,72051.36137,69532.9714,73412.8913,1902.79
Chaco 231,97759.942122,23831.59128,3087.314,4781.16
Chubut 73,00149.48257,21138.78112,2808.325,0353.41
Córdoba 695,12546.674585,61239.314184,95712.42123,8791.60
Corrientes 123,39832.28252,48513.7340,36210.56166,01243.432
Entre Ríos 269,57847.352211,68637.18272,24212.6915,8462.78
Formosa 82,49849.28256,33133.65123,34813.955,2313.12
Jujuy 103,91650.85249,35824.15126,24312.8424,84912.16
La Pampa 76,44650.66237,51824.8630,63420.306,3114.18
La Rioja 83,00476.70321,40219.782,5672.371,2471.15
Mendoza 340,49346.142125,67217.031143,67019.471128,18517.371
Misiones 178,16250.262143,51940.49224,2076.838,6112.43
Neuquén 48,03227.39120,94011.9439,20122.3567,21638.321
Río Negro 94,05844.05292,04743.11124,73911.592,6951.26
Salta 272,22471.15455,62314.5438,1169.9616,6474.35
San Juan 193,19472.14322,4988.4050,55418.881,5740.59
San Luis 88,88461.16229,03819.9824,70017.002,7101.86
Santa Cruz 37,51458.76214,70623.039,61315.062,0093.15
Santa Fe 679,64743.604257,88016.542430,20527.603191,24312.271
Santiago del Estero 202,32372.00362,86422.37113,6874.872,1320.76
Tierra del Fuego 15,51945.4327,56622.152,5737.538,50524.901
Tucumán 233,63441.72288,89715.881108,35419.351129,08823.051
Total8,371,13249.38753,718,92021.94273,599,76421.23211,264,0077.467

Governors

Election of Provincial Governors
Positions to be elected: 22 (the City of Buenos Aires in 1996 and Corrientes in 1997)
ProvinceElectedPartyMap
Buenos Aires Eduardo Duhalde R Partido Justicialista Elecciones provinciales de Argentina de 1995.png
Federal Capital (1996) Fernando de la Rúa Unión Cívica Radical
Catamarca Arnoldo Aníbal Castillo RUnión Cívica Radical-Frente Cívico y Social
Chaco Ángel Rozas Unión Cívica Radical
Chubut Carlos Maestro RUnión Cívica Radical
Córdoba Ramón Mestre Unión Cívica Radical
Entre Ríos Jorge Pedro Busti Partido Justicialista
Formosa Gildo Insfrán Partido Justicialista
Jujuy Guillermo Snopek Partido Justicialista
La Pampa Rubén Marín RPartido Justicialista
La Rioja Ángel Maza Partido Justicialista
Mendoza Arturo Lafalla Partido Justicialista
Misiones Ramón Puerta RPartido Justicialista
Neuquén Felipe Sapag Movimiento Popular Neuquino
Río Negro Pablo Verani Unión Cívica Radical
Salta Juan Carlos Romero Partido Justicialista
San Juan Jorge Escobar RPartido Justicialista
San Luis Adolfo Rodríguez Saá RPartido Justicialista
Santa Cruz Néstor Kirchner RPartido Justicialista
Santa Fe Jorge Obeid Partido Justicialista
Santiago del Estero Carlos Juárez Partido Justicialista
Tierra del Fuego José Arturo Estabillo R Fuegian People's Movement
Tucumán Antonio Domingo Bussi Fuerza Republicana
R: Re-elected

Notes

  1. Juan Carlos Onganía, former dictator between 1966 and 1970, was originally a candidate for president while Ricardo Alberto Paz was a candidate for vice president. Before the election Onganía retired from the race due to health reasons, although his name still appeared on the ballot. Died three weeks after the election.

References

  1. 1 2 Todo Argentina: Menem (in Spanish)
  2. Todo Argentina: 1993 (in Spanish)
  3. 1 2 Todo Argentina: 1994 (in Spanish)
  4. Clarín(in Spanish)
  5. La Nación. May 13, 1995.
  6. Todo Argentina: 1995
  7. 1 2 Andy Tow's Electoral Atlas of Argentina Archived 2009-01-06 at the Wayback Machine
  8. 1 2 Microsemanario 195 (in Spanish)
  9. "Recorriendo las Elecciones de 1983 a 2013 - Presidenciales". Dirección Nacional Electoral. Archived from the original on 2017-09-28. Retrieved 2017-09-27.
  10. 1 2 "Elecciones Nacionales ESCRUTINIO DEFINITIVO 1995" (PDF). Ministry of the Interior. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 March 2018.
  11. "Recorriendo las Elecciones de 1983 a 2013 - Diputados Nacionales". Dirección Nacional Electoral. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022.