The new president of the Radical Civic Union (UCR), Leonel Chiarella, vindicated the figure of Raúl Alfonsín as the party's main historical reference and outlined a radicalism with dialogue, management, and public works as axes to rebuild its political prominence.
In defining his political identity and historical outlook, Chiarella highlighted: “Our most important leader was Raúl Alfonsín,” whom he described as a leader with courage and a vocation for consensus, capable of summoning all sectors to build a democratic Argentina.
Chiarella thanked the party delegates and radical governors who appointed him to the highest position and emphasized that the UCR has the management of five provinces and more than 500 mayors across the country, which allows for showing concrete government experience and bringing proposals closer to society.
Regarding the relationship with the National Government, he stated that radicalism will maintain a posture of political maturity, with accompaniment to measures considered positive and with the marking of differences when necessary, always from a federal perspective that takes into account the needs of the provinces.
In this framework, he affirmed that the party does not intend to “go back” and considered that kirchnerism is an exhausted cycle, while emphasizing that radicalism seeks to contribute to the construction of Argentina from common sense and consensus.
Among the main criticisms of the Executive, Chiarella, in an interview with Clarín, pointed out the lack of investment in infrastructure and warned that no development is possible without public works.
In this sense, he warned about the deterioration of key routes for the transport of production and affirmed that the fiscal surplus “by itself is not enough” if it does not translate into concrete improvements for the citizenship.
Regarding the internal situation of the party, he recognized the electoral difficulties and parliamentary fragmentation, and assured that the reconstruction of radicalism will require dialogue, political maturity, and joint work between governors, legislators, mayors, and the different party organizations.
Looking to the future, he stated that radicalism must strengthen itself as a party and, at the same time, evaluate alliances that contribute to the country's development, although he avoided defining political partners and emphasized that this discussion must take place collectively.
