The Chief of Staff, Guillermo Francos, criticized the Simultaneous and Compulsory Open Primaries (PASO), calling them a "nonsense." According to statements made to Radio Rivadavia, he mentioned survey results indicating that 85% of the population favors suspending or eliminating the PASO. Additionally, he stated that the cost to the country would be around 200 million dollars.
Franco emphasized that he hopes Congress makes the right decision, at least to suspend the PASO, and reiterated that the government's intention is to eliminate them permanently. He highlighted that, according to the polls, there is a majority popular consensus in favor of eliminating or suspending the PASO.
The official explained that the government does not have the necessary votes to eliminate the PASO by itself, but pointed out that there are many Peronist legislators willing to support such a measure. He stated that eliminating the PASO is a government objective due to popular support and the economic savings it would entail.
Regarding the necessary opposition to approve the elimination of the PASO, Francos mentioned that there seem to be internal disagreements, not only between Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and Governor Axel Kicillof, but also among the governors, some of whom have positions divergent from those of the former president. He pointed out that the leadership dispute is not limited to the province of Buenos Aires.
