1995 Argentine general election explained

Election Name:1995 Argentine general election
Country:Argentina
Module:
Election Name:Presidential election
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1989 Argentine general election
Previous Year:1989
Next Election:1999 Argentine general election
Next Year:1999
Election Date:14 May 1995
Party Name:no
Embed:yes
Registered:22,178,201
Turnout:82.08%
Image1:Menem con banda presidencial (recortada).jpg
Nominee1:Carlos Saúl Menem
Party1:PJ
Alliance1:Justicialist Front
Color1:75AADB
Running Mate1:Carlos Ruckauf
States Carried1:23
Popular Vote1:8,687,511
Percentage1:49.94%
Nominee2:José Octavio Bordón
Party2:PAIS
Alliance2:FREPASO
Color2:A349A4
Running Mate2:Carlos Álvarez
States Carried2:CABA
Popular Vote2:5,096,104
Percentage2:29.30%
Nominee3:Horacio Massaccesi
Party3:UCR
Alliance3:UCR + MID
Color3:C40233
Popular Vote3:2,956,137
Percentage3:16.99%
Running Mate3:Antonio María Hernández
States Carried3:0
President
Before Election:Carlos Menem
After Election:Carlos Menem
Before Party:Justicialist Party
After Party:Justicialist Party
Module:
Embed:yes
Election Name:Legislative election
Previous Election:1993
Next Election:1997
Seats For Election:130 of 257 seats in the Chamber of Deputies
Election Date:14 May 1995
Turnout:82.08%
Noleader:yes
Heading1:Chamber of Deputies
Color1:
  1. 318CE7
Party1:Justicialist Party
Percentage1:49.38%
Last Election1:70
Seats1:75
Color2:
  1. E10019
Party2:Radical Civic Union
Percentage2:21.94%
Last Election2:41
Seats2:27
Color3:purple
Party3:Solidary Country Front
Percentage3:21.23%
Last Election3:5
Seats3:21
Color4:yellow
Party4:Movement for Dignity and Independence
Percentage4:1.84%
Last Election4:4
Seats4:0
Color5:
  1. 005C9E
Party5:Democratic Progressive Party
Percentage5:0.94%
Last Election5:1
Seats5:1
Color6:
  1. 40E0D0
Party6:Autonomist - Liberal - Democratic Progressive
Percentage6:0.93%
Last Election6:2
Seats6:2
Party7:Others
Percentage7:3.74%
Last Election7:4
Seats7:4

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%.

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, the secured 68, 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%
align=left rowspan=17Carlos Menemalign=left rowspan=17Carlos Ruckaufbgcolor=#318CE7 rowspan=17Total 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
align=left rowspan=6José Octavio Bordónalign=left rowspan=6Carlos Álvarezbgcolor=purple rowspan=6Total 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
align=left rowspan=6Horacio Massaccesialign=left rowspan=6Antonio María Hernándezbgcolor=#E10019 rowspan=6Total Massaccesi - Hernández2,956,13716.99
Radical Civic Union (UCR)2,773,03715.94
Alliance for Patagonia84,1720.48
Radical Civic Union - Integration and Development Movement57,0820.33
Integration and Development Movement (MID)30,5880.18
Federal Party of Córdoba (PF)11,2580.06
align=left rowspan=4Aldo Ricoalign=left rowspan=4Julio César Fernández Pezzanobgcolor=yellow rowspan=4Total 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 SolanasCarlos Imizcozbgcolor=redSouthern Alliance71,6250.41
Fernando López de ZavalíaPedro BenejamRepublican Force of Tucumán (FR)64,0070.37
Luis ZamoraSilvia Susana Díazbgcolor=redWorkers' Socialist Movement (MST)45,9730.26
align=left rowspan=4Jorge Altamiraalign=left rowspan=4Norma Graciela Mollebgcolor=darkred rowspan=4Total Altamira - Molle32,2990.19
Workers' Unit Front - Workers' Party28,3290.16
Workers' Party (PO)2,7890.02
Workers' Unit Front1,1810.01
Mario MazzitelliAlberto Raúl Fonsecabgcolor=pinkAuthentic Socialist Party (PSA)32,1740.18
Lía MéndezLiliana Beatriz Ambrosiobgcolor=orangeHumanist Party (PH)31,2030.18
Alcides ChristiansenJosé Alberto Montesbgcolor=redMovement for Socialism - Socialist Workers' Party (MAS - PTS)27,6430.16
Humberto TuminiJorge Emilio Reynabgcolor=lightblueFree Homeland24,3260.14
align=left rowspan=3Amílcar Santuchoalign=left rowspan=3Irma Antognazzibgcolor=#555555 rowspan=3Total Santucho - Antognazzi13,0660.08
Anti-Imperialist Popular Democratic Movement (MODEPA)12,9190.07
Solidarity1470.00
Ricardo Alberto Paz[9] 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:[10] [11]

Chamber of Deputies

PartyVotes%Seats wonTotal seats
Justicialist Front (PJ)8,371,13249.3875145
Radical Civic Union (UCR)3,718,92021.942768
bgcolor=purpleSolidary Country Front (FREPASO)3.599.76421.232126
bgcolor=yellowMovement for Dignity and Independence (MODIN)311,9871.844
Democratic Progressive Party (PDP)158,8570.9412
Autonomist - Liberal - Democratic Progressive158,2690.9324
Republican Force (FR)119,5460.7112
Democratic Party of Mendoza (PD)114,5810.6812
bgcolor=redSouthern Alliance83,4340.49
Neuquén People's Movement (MPN)60,7810.3612
bgcolor=pinkAuthentic Socialist Party (PSA)38,9090.23
bgcolor=redWorkers' Socialist Movement (MST)31,0620.18
bgcolor=lightgreySolidarity21,7180.13
bgcolor=darkredWorkers' Party (PO)27,2950.16
bgcolor=lightblueFree Homeland19,6850.12
bgcolor=redMovement for Socialism - Socialist Workers' Party (MAS - PTS)21,9250.13
bgcolor=lightgreyRenewal Party of the Buenos Aires Province13,4140.08
bgcolor=lightgreyBlue and White Movement12,0910.07
bgcolor=lightgreySolidarity Confederation12,0640.07
bgcolor=lightgreyLabor Party10,4860.06
bgcolor=darkblueFueguian People's Movement (MOPOF)7,6830.0512
bgcolor=orangeHumanist Party (PH)7,8770.05
bgcolor=lightgreyCentrist Front4,4370.03
bgcolor=lightgreyIndependent Call4,2570.03
bgcolor=lightgreyOrder and Justice3,3670.02
bgcolor=darkblueChubut Action Party (PACH)3,3130.02
Intransigent Party (PI)2,4840.01
bgcolor=darkblueChristian Democratic Party (PDC)2,2550.01
bgcolor=lightgreyProvincial Union2,1710.01
Open Policy for Social Integrity - Great Movement of Hope1,6160.01
bgcolor=lightgreyCatamarca Unity Party1,2710.01
bgcolor=lightgreyJujuy Solidarity1,2580.01
bgcolor=lightgreyFront for Patriotic Awareness (FRECOPA)1,0380.01
Popular Union (UP)8720.01
bgcolor=lightgreySalta Labor Party7520.00
bgcolor=lightgreyFront of Hope (Catamarca)6540.00
bgcolor=lightgreyCorrientes Action5810.00
bgcolor=lightgreyAutonomist Party5620.00
bgcolor=lightgreySanta Cruz Unity Movement5280.00
bgcolor=lightgreySolidarity Movement4110.00
bgcolor=lightgreyModernist Force4040.00
bgcolor=lightgreySocial Democratic Party (PSODE)1120.00
Total16,953,823100130257
align=left colspan=2Positive votes16,953,82393.14
align=left colspan=2Blank votes1,087,3345.97
align=left colspan=2Invalid votes122,9950.68
align=left colspan=2Tally sheet differences38,5000.21
align=left colspan=2Total votes18,202,652100
align=left colspan=2Registered voters/turnout22,177,95482.08
Sources:[12]

Results by province

ProvincePJUCRFREPASOOthers
Votes%SeatsVotes%SeatsVotes%SeatsVotes%Seats
scope=rowBuenos Airesbgcolor=lightblue3,385,366bgcolor=lightblue52.54bgcolor=lightblue align=center201,157,59717.9761,549,75024.059350,8595.45
scope=rowBuenos Aires City804,41939.944408,53720.283bgcolor=Plum704,720bgcolor=Plum34.99bgcolor=Plum align=center596,4554.79
scope=rowCatamarcabgcolor=lightblue58,720bgcolor=lightblue51.36bgcolor=lightblue align=center137,69532.9714,73412.8913,1902.79
scope=rowChacobgcolor=lightblue231,977bgcolor=lightblue59.94bgcolor=lightblue align=center2122,23831.59128,3087.314,4781.16
scope=rowChubutbgcolor=lightblue73,001bgcolor=lightblue49.48bgcolor=lightblue align=center257,21138.78112,2808.325,0353.41
scope=rowCórdobabgcolor=lightblue695,125bgcolor=lightblue46.67bgcolor=lightblue align=center4585,61239.314184,95712.42123,8791.60
scope=rowCorrientes123,39832.28252,48513.7340,36210.56bgcolor=Aquamarine166,012bgcolor=Aquamarine43.43bgcolor=Aquamarine align=center2
scope=rowEntre Ríosbgcolor=lightblue269,578bgcolor=lightblue47.35bgcolor=lightblue align=center2211,68637.18272,24212.6915,8462.78
scope=rowFormosabgcolor=lightblue82,498bgcolor=lightblue49.28bgcolor=lightblue align=center256,33133.65123,34813.955,2313.12
scope=rowJujuybgcolor=lightblue103,916bgcolor=lightblue50.85bgcolor=lightblue align=center249,35824.15126,24312.8424,84912.16
scope=rowLa Pampabgcolor=lightblue76,446bgcolor=lightblue50.66bgcolor=lightblue align=center237,51824.8630,63420.306,3114.18
scope=rowLa Riojabgcolor=lightblue83,004bgcolor=lightblue76.70bgcolor=lightblue align=center321,40219.782,5672.371,2471.15
scope=rowMendozabgcolor=lightblue340,493bgcolor=lightblue46.14bgcolor=lightblue align=center2125,67217.031143,67019.471128,18517.371
scope=rowMisionesbgcolor=lightblue178,162bgcolor=lightblue50.26bgcolor=lightblue align=center2143,51940.49224,2076.838,6112.43
scope=rowNeuquén48,03227.39120,94011.9439,20122.35bgcolor=LightSteelBlue67,216bgcolor=LightSteelBlue38.32bgcolor=LightSteelBlue align=center1
scope=rowRío Negrobgcolor=lightblue94,058bgcolor=lightblue44.05bgcolor=lightblue align=center292,04743.11124,73911.592,6951.26
scope=rowSaltabgcolor=lightblue272,224bgcolor=lightblue71.15bgcolor=lightblue align=center455,62314.5438,1169.9616,6474.35
scope=rowSan Juanbgcolor=lightblue193,194bgcolor=lightblue72.14bgcolor=lightblue align=center322,4988.4050,55418.881,5740.59
scope=rowSan Luisbgcolor=lightblue88,884bgcolor=lightblue61.16bgcolor=lightblue align=center229,03819.9824,70017.002,7101.86
scope=rowSanta Cruzbgcolor=lightblue37,514bgcolor=lightblue58.76bgcolor=lightblue align=center214,70623.039,61315.062,0093.15
scope=rowSanta Febgcolor=lightblue679,647bgcolor=lightblue43.60bgcolor=lightblue align=center4257,88016.542430,20527.603191,24312.271
scope=rowSantiago del Esterobgcolor=lightblue202,323bgcolor=lightblue72.00bgcolor=lightblue align=center362,86422.37113,6874.872,1320.76
scope=rowTierra del Fuegobgcolor=lightblue15,519bgcolor=lightblue45.43bgcolor=lightblue align=center27,56622.152,5737.538,50524.901
scope=rowTucumánbgcolor=lightblue233,634bgcolor=lightblue41.72bgcolor=lightblue align=center288,89715.881108,35419.351129,08823.051
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
Federal Capital (1996) Unión Cívica Radical
Catamarca Arnoldo Aníbal Castillo R Unión Cívica Radical-Frente Cívico y Social
Chaco Unión Cívica Radical
Chubut Carlos Maestro R Unión Cívica Radical
Córdoba Unión Cívica Radical
Entre Ríos Partido Justicialista
Formosa Partido Justicialista
Jujuy Partido Justicialista
La Pampa Rubén Marín R Partido Justicialista
La Rioja Ángel MazaPartido Justicialista
Mendoza Partido Justicialista
Misiones Ramón Puerta R Partido Justicialista
Neuquén Movimiento Popular Neuquino
Río Negro Unión Cívica Radical
Salta Partido Justicialista
San Juan Jorge Escobar R Partido Justicialista
San Luis Adolfo Rodríguez Saá R Partido Justicialista
Santa Cruz Néstor Kirchner R Partido Justicialista
Santa Fe Partido Justicialista
Santiago del Estero Partido Justicialista
Tierra del Fuego José Arturo Estabillo R Movimiento Popular Fueguino
Tucumán Fuerza Republicana
R

Re-elected

Notes and References

  1. http://www.todo-argentina.net/historia/democracia/menem1/index.html Todo Argentina: Menem
  2. http://www.todo-argentina.net/historia/democracia/menem1/1993.html Todo Argentina: 1993
  3. http://www.todo-argentina.net/historia/democracia/menem1/1994.html Todo Argentina: 1994
  4. http://www.clarin.com/diario/1997/08/10/i-00903e.htm Clarín
  5. La Nación. May 13, 1995.
  6. http://www.todo-argentina.net/historia/democracia/menem1/1995.html Todo Argentina: 1995
  7. http://andy.towsa.com/totalpais/1995g.html Andy Tow's Electoral Atlas of Argentina
  8. http://www.fcen.uba.ar/prensa/micro/1995/ms195a.htm Microsemanario 195
  9. [Juan Carlos Onganía]
  10. Web site: Recorriendo las Elecciones de 1983 a 2013 - Presidenciales. Dirección Nacional Electoral. 2017-09-27. 2017-09-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20170928005552/https://recorriendo.elecciones.gob.ar/presidente1995.html#/3/1. dead.
  11. Web site: Elecciones Nacionales ESCRUTINIO DEFINITIVO 1995 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180319213604/http://www.mininterior.gov.ar/asuntos_politicos_y_alectorales/dine/infogral/RESULTADOS%20HISTORICOS/1995.pdf . 19 March 2018 . Ministry of the Interior .
  12. Web site: Recorriendo las Elecciones de 1983 a 2013 - Diputados Nacionales . Dirección Nacional Electoral . https://web.archive.org/web/20220817201217/https://recorriendo.elecciones.gob.ar/diputados1995.html#/ . 17 August 2022.