2003 Argentine general election

Argentina held a presidential election on Sunday, 27 April 2003. Turnout was 78.2%. No one presidential candidate gained enough votes to win outright, but the scheduled runoff was cancelled when former president and first-round winner Carlos Menem pulled out just 4 days before the planned runoff on 18 May, handing the presidency to runner-up, Santa Cruz Province Governor Néstor Kirchner of the Front for Victory. Legislative elections were held on 12 dates, 27 April, 24 August, 31 August, 7 September, 14 September, 28 September, 5 October, 19 October, 26 October, 9 November, 16 November and 23 November. As of 2023, this marked the last time that both the president-elect and vice president-elect ticket were both men.

2003 Argentine general election

Presidential election
← 1999
  • 27 April 2003
  • 18 May 2003 (planned second round, cancelled)
2007 →
Registered25,481,410
Turnout78.22%
 
NomineeCarlos MenemNéstor KirchnerRicardo López Murphy
PartyPJPJRecreate
AllianceFront for Loyalty - UCEDEFPVFederal Movement Recreate
Running mateJuan Carlos RomeroDaniel ScioliRicardo Gómez Diez
States carried128CABA
Popular vote4,741,2004,313,1313,173,584
Percentage24.45%22.25%16.37%

 
NomineeAdolfo Rodríguez SaáElisa Carrió
PartyPJARI
AllianceFMP - PUL
States carried30
Popular vote2,736,0912,723,207
Percentage14.11%14.08%

First round results by province and department.

President before election

Eduardo Duhalde
PJ

Elected President

Néstor Kirchner
FPV-PJ

Legislative election
← 200127 April 2003 to 23 November 20032005 →

130 of 257 seats in the Chamber of Deputies
24 of 72 seats in the Senate
Turnout71.88% (Deputies)
69.17% (Senate)
Party%Seats+/–
Chamber of Deputies
Justicialist Party

39.74%65+3
Radical Civic Union

13.48%19−15
Alternative for a Republic of Equals

9.74%11+5
Recreate for Growth

4.02%2+1
Commitment to Change Front

3.88%50
Buenos Aires Popular Front

3.86%5+5
Socialist Party

2.92%3+2
Federalist Action for Buenos Aires

2.76%3+1
New Front

2.61%3+3
Self-determination and Freedom

1.32%20
Republican Force

0.80%2+1
Others

15.01%9−3
Senate
Justicialist Party

40.51%12+1
Radical Civic Union

15.60%5−3
Socialist Party

9.42%1+1
New Front

7.62%1+1
Republican Force

3.12%2+2
New Party

2.25%1+1
Front of Everyone (Corrientes)

2.74%20
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.

Background

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For the first time since the return of democracy in 1983, the Justicialist Party (PJ) failed to agree on a single presidential candidate. Three credible Peronist candidates ran in the election: center-right former President Carlos Menem, center-left Santa Cruz Province Governor Néstor Kirchner, and centrist former president Adolfo Rodríguez Saá.[1] None were officially supported by the party, though President Eduardo Duhalde publicly endorsed Governor Kirchner on January 15, 2003. The PJ suspended its January 24 convention, opting to allow the three contenders to run on the Peronist mantle. None of the candidates were allowed to use the traditional Peronist iconography in detriment of the others.[1]

For the first time since 1916, the UCR did not field a presidential candidate.[1] After the political collapse at the peak of the economic crisis that led to the resignation of President Fernando de la Rúa at the end of 2001, popular support for the UCR was at historically low levels. Two strong former members of the UCR founded parties based on their politics: Congresswoman Elisa Carrió founded a left-of-center party, the ARI, and economist Ricardo López Murphy founded a right-wing one, Recreate for Growth.

These five strong candidates were practically tied in all the pre-election polls. Menem obtained the most votes in the first round, but far short of a first-round victory (about 24%), so a runoff election against Kirchner was required, and was scheduled for May 18. However, after two terms in office from 1989 to 1999, Menem's popularity remained very low. All signs pointed to a record victory for Kirchner (polls showed him leading Menem by anywhere from a 35 to a 50% margin).[2][3] Rather than face a humiliating defeat, Menem withdrew from the runoff on May 14, a move that was roundly criticized by the other candidates.[4][3] The courts refused to authorize a new election, and also refused to sanction a runoff between Kirchner and López Murphy (though the latter let it be known he would not take part in any case). Finally, Congress sanctioned Kirchner as president-elect, with the lowest vote share ever recorded for a president in a free election.

Legislative races

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Legislative and gubernatorial elections were held throughout 2003, with polls open in different provinces between April and November; average turnout was 70.8%.[5]

These elections were unprecedented in their staggered scheduling; indeed, legislators and governors were chosen over 12 different dates, during 2003. They were also, however, a return to political normalcy following a chaotic and economically depressed 2002.

The Justicialist Party, which was divided among three candidates in the presidential race, remained largely united in legislative and local races. They added 12 seats in the Argentine Chamber of Deputies, as well as 2 governorships, and fears of a high number of dissident tickets did not materialize.

The centrist Radical Civic Union, senior partners in the ill-fated Alliance that had returned them to power in 1999, were left with their smallest representation since 1954, though they were not replaced by the center-left ARI in a significant way; the ARI added but 2 Congressmen.

Voters sentiment improved over 2001 levels (when the sentiment among many was that "they should all go"), though not significantly. Turnout increased only modestly, and the use of invalid votes declined from 24% to 15% from the tense 2001 elections. Voters in the important Santa Fe Province, in particular, curbed their use of spoiled ballots from 30% to 20%.[6]

Kirchner ended 2003 on a more secure footing than before these local and legislative elections. He benefited from allies such as the new governor of the paramount Buenos Aires Province, Felipe Solá, as well as the Mayor of Buenos Aires, Aníbal Ibarra. Argentina celebrated 20 years of continuous democratic rule on December 10, 2003, with a new government carrying generous numbers of allies in Congress and the provinces, as well as voters' high expectations.[6]

Results

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President

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Presidential
candidate
Vice Presidential
candidate
PartyVotes%
Carlos MenemJuan Carlos RomeroTotal Menem - Romero4,741,20024.45
Front for Loyalty3,776,86719.48
Union of the Democratic Centre (UCEDE)964,3334.97
Néstor KirchnerDaniel ScioliFront for Victory (FPV)4,313,13122.25
Ricardo López MurphyRicardo Gómez DiezFederal Movement Recreate for Growth (Recrear)3,173,58416.37
Adolfo Rodríguez SaáMelchor PosseTotal Rodríguez Saá - Posse2,736,09114.11
Front of the Popular Movement2,340,35512.07
Unity and Liberty Party (PUL)395,7362.04
Elisa CarrióGustavo GutiérrezSupport for an Egalitarian Republic (ARI)2,723,20714.05
Leopoldo MoreauMario LosadaRadical Civic Union (UCR)453,3732.34
Patricia WalshMarcelo ParrilliUnited Left (IU)332,7031.72
Alfredo BravoRubén GiustinianiSocialist Party (PS)217,3871.12
Jorge AltamiraEduardo SalasWorkers' Party (PO)139,4020.72
Enrique Carlos VenturinoFederico Manuel Pinto KramerAll of Them Must Go Confederation129,7820.67
Guillermo SullingsLiliana AmbrosioHumanist Party (PH)105,7050.55
José Carlos ArcagniMarcelo Daniel ZenofTotal Arcagni - Zenof63,3840.32
Times of Changes Alliance54,8730.28
Popular Union (UP)8,5110.04
Mario MazzitelliAdrián Rodolfo CampsAuthentic Socialist Party (PSA)50,3030.26
Carlos ZafforeElsa Fabiana PeriéIntegration and Development Movement (MID)47,9540.25
Manuel Eduardo HerreraEduardo Alfredo CúneoChristian Democratic Party (PDC)47,7550.25
Gustavo Breide ObeidRamiro VasenaPeople's Reconstruction Party (PPR)42,4610.22
Juan Ricardo MussaRoberto Natalio SuárezUnited or Dominated Alliance39,5070.20
Ricardo César TeránJosé Alejandro BonacciMovement for Dignity and Independence (MODIN)31,7660.16
Total19,388,695100
Positive votes19,388,69597.28
Blank votes196,5630.99
Invalid votes345,6511.73
Total votes19,930,909100
Registered voters/turnout25,481,41078.22

Chamber of Deputies

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PartyVotes%Seats wonTotal seats
Justicialist Party (PJ)6,250,81739.7465139
Radical Civic Union (UCR)2,120,62513.481955
Alternative for a Republic of Equals (ARI)1,532,7379.741117
Recreate for Growth (Recrear)632.3034.0223
Commitment to Change Front (PJ + CxC)611,0133.885[a]
Buenos Aires Popular Front606,8863.8655
Socialist Party (PS)459,8992.9234
Federalist Action for Buenos Aires433,3692.7635
New Front410,3402.6133
United Left (IU)387,5702.461
Self-determination and Freedom (AyL)208,2381.3224
Humanist Party (PH)166,8491.06
Workers' Party (PO)151,3630.96
Republican Force (FR)125,9540.8023
Front of Everyone (Corrientes) (PJ + UCR)121,9920.782[b]
Autonomist Party110,7570.70
New Party (PANU)102,7640.6511
Salta Renewal Party (PRS)95,8450.6112
Neuquén People's Movement (MPN)90,7400.5824
Will for Integration and Authentic Development74,9110.48
Democratic Party of Mendoza (PD)72,9350.461
United for Salta (PJ + UCR)68,2160.431[c]
Corrientes Project65,1880.4111
Civic and Social Front of Catamarca63,4150.402[d]
Authentic Socialist Party (PSA)64,2760.411
Christian Democratic Party (PDC)51,4490.33
Social Pole53,5920.344
Integration and Development Movement (MID)48,1850.31
Socialist Workers' Party (PTS)42,3390.27
Buenos Aires Changes Front42,2680.27
People's Reconstruction Party (PPR)37,7930.24
Labor Party of Tucumán37,3270.24
Liberal Party of Corrientes (PLCo)35,5700.23
Movement for Socialism (MAS)33,0000.21
Provincial Neighborhood Movement30,4480.19
Río Negro Action Movement24,0110.15
Federal Integration Movement22,1020.14
Renewal Crusade21,4850.14
Democratic Renewal20,2090.13
People's Party16,2790.10
Our Commitment16,0780.10
Broad Front (FG)14,3530.09
Authentic Party14,0690.09
White Party13,4460.09
Chubut Action Party (PACH)13,0730.08
People First10,4410.07
New Party of Solidary Action9,9270.06
Broad Front of Work and Production8,2990.05
Citizen Dignity6,3100.04
Movement for the Unit of Neuquén5,9360.04
Freedom and Responsible Democracy5,7820.04
Retirees in Action Party4,6730.03
Front for Change4,6170.03
Retirees and Youth Movement4,4290.03
San Luis Force4,1010.03
Citizen Action Party3,9170.02
Fueguian People's Movement (MOPOF)3,7310.02
Movement for the Recovery of the Republic3,1820.02
Popular Participation Party3,1360.02
Movement for Everyone2,9770.02
Fuegian Federal Party2,8280.02
New People2,7830.02
Federal Party (PF)2,6740.02
Action for the Republic (AR)2,3800.021
Conservative People's Party (PCP)2,0690.01
Revolutionary Socialist League2,0150.01
Río Gallegos Neighborhood Movement1,9610.01
White Party of Buenos Aires City1,8680.01
Front of the Workers, the Unemployed and the
Retirees for the Union of Buenos Aires City
1,7020.01
Republican Reconstruction Party1,6280.01
New Social Hope1,5790.01
Independents for Change1,5090.01
Republican Integration Circle1,4210.01
Provincial Defense - White Flag1,3880.01
Party of the Current1,2800.01
Socialist Convergence1,0030.01
Front of the People5900.00
Populist Unification4390.00
Patriotic Liberation Movement4190.00
Front of Social Integration for a Change in Freedom (FISCAL)Did not run1
Total15,729,072100130257
Positive votes15,729,07285.55
Blank votes2,419,92113.16
Invalid votes237,2001.29
Total votes18,386,193100
Registered voters/turnout25,578,50971.88

Senate

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PartyVotes%Seats wonTotal seats
Justicialist Party (PJ)1,849,46640.511241
Radical Civic Union (UCR)712,28915.60523
Socialist Party (PS)430,2169.4211
New Front348,0797.6211
Alternative for a Republic of Equals (ARI)218,2024.78
Recreate for Growth (Recrear)180,0823.94
Republican Force (FR)142,4223.1222
Front of Everyone (Corrientes) (PJ + UCR)125,1472.742[e]
New Party (PANU)102,7762.2511
Democratic Party of Mendoza (PD)73,0731.60
Corrientes Project69,2071.52
United Left (IU)62,8161.38
Humanist Party (PH)34,5750.76
Liberal Party of Corrientes (PLCo)33,9720.74
Labor Party of Tucumán29,4510.65
Democratic Renewal21,2330.47
Workers' Party (PO)20,9030.46
White Party13,5450.30
Social Pole12,5540,27
Chubut Action Party (PACH)12,5190.27
Socialist Workers' Party (PTS)11,7710.26
People First10,4470.23
New Party of Solidary Action9,9750.22
Broad Front of Work and Production8,4370.18
Christian Democratic Party (PDC)6,3300.14
People's Reconstruction Party (PPR)5,3790.12
Movement for Dignity and Independence (MODIN)3,7190.08
Authentic Socialist Party (PSA)3,2180.07
Popular Participation Party3,0530.07
New People2,7470.06
Autonomist Party2,5680.06
Provincial Defense - White Flag1,5130.03
Patriotic Movement1,3170.03
Republican Integration Circle1,3020.03
Populist Unification4190.01
Patriotic Liberation Movement4130.01
Salta Renewal Party (PRS)Did not run1
Neuquén People's Movement (MPN)Did not run2
Total4,565,1351002472
Positive votes4,565,13584.85
Blank votes726,03913.49
Invalid votes89,2721.66
Total votes5,380,446100
Registered voters/turnout7,779,04069.17

Governors and Mayor of Buenos Aires

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Provincial officials in all districts except Corrientes Province, were elected, as well as the Chief of Government of the City of Buenos Aires. The Justicialist Party wrested two governorships from the UCR (Chubut and Entre Ríos Provinces), and the UCR recovered Tierra del Fuego from the Justicialists.[7]

DistrictElected GovernorParty%Runner-upParty%
Buenos AiresFelipe SoláJusticialist43.3Luis PattiFederalist Unity Party13.3
CatamarcaEduardo Brizuela del MoralCivic Social Front (UCR)50.8Luis BarrionuevoJusticialist Front43.5
ChacoRoy NikischUCR53.4Jorge CapitanichFront for Victory40.9
ChubutMario das NevesJusticialist45.6José Lizurume LUCR41.2
City of Buenos Aires1Aníbal Ibarra RGreat Front53.5Mauricio MacriCommitment to Change46.5
CórdobaJosé Manuel de la Sota RJusticialist51.8Oscar AguadUCR37.2
Entre RíosJorge BustiJusticialist44.6Sergio VariscoSocial Front Alliance34.4
FormosaGildo Insfrán RJusticialist71.8Gabriel HernándezFront for All24.4
JujuyEduardo Fellner RJusticialist55.8Gerardo MoralesUCR35.2
La PampaCarlos VernaJusticialist49.1Francisco TorrobaAlternative Front25.5
La RiojaÁngel Maza RJusticialist55.4Jorge YomaWork and Production Front43.4
MendozaJulio CobosUCR42.9Guillermo AmstutzJusticialist35.7
MisionesCarlos Rovira RRenewal Front47.9Ramón PuertaJusticialist32.4
NeuquénJorge Sobisch RNeuquén People's Movement56.1Aldo DuzdevichJusticialist19.9
Río NegroMiguel SaizUCR32.6Julio ArriagaGreat Front20.4
SaltaJuan Carlos Romero RJusticialist49.7Andrés ZottosSalta Renewal Party24.4
San JuanJosé Luis GiojaJusticialist41.4Roberto BasualdoLife and Commitment Front30.8
San LuisAlberto Rodríguez SaáJusticialist90.1Marcelo ShortredeFatherland and Family Movement5.5
Santa CruzSergio AcevedoJusticialist70.9Anselmo MartínezConvergence for Santa Cruz27.9
Santa FeJorge ObeidJusticialist43.2Hermes BinnerSocialist Party38.3
Santiago del Estero2Mercedes Aragonés de Juárez RJusticialist68.1José Luis ZavalíaUCR13.0
Tierra del FuegoJorge ColazoUCR52.8Carlos Manfredotti LJusticialist47.2
TucumánJosé AlperovichJusticialist44.4Esteban JerezUnion for Tucumán25.8

1: The City of Buenos Aires is not a province but an autonomous federal territory. The head of the local Executive is referred to as "Government Chief."
2: Election held September 15, 2002.
R: Reelected.
L: Incumbent lost.

Notes

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  1. ^ 3 seats for Justicialist Party and 2 seats for Commitment to Change.
  2. ^ 2 seats for Justicialist Party.
  3. ^ 1 seat for Justicialist Party.
  4. ^ 1 seat for Justicialist Party and 1 seat for Radical Civic Union.
  5. ^ 1 seat for Justicialist Party and 1 seat for Radical Civic Union.

References

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  1. ^ a b c Fraga, Rosendo (2010). Fin de ciKlo: ascenso, apogeo y declinación del poder kirchnerista. Ediciones B. pp. 21–23.
  2. ^ "Menem pierde el invicto y la fama". Página/12.
  3. ^ a b Uki Goñi (May 15, 2003). "Menem bows out of race for top job". The Guardian. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  4. ^ Todo Argentina: Kirchner (in Spanish)
  5. ^ "Andy Tow's Electoral Atlas of Argentina". Archived from the original on 2011-05-24. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
  6. ^ a b Todo Argentina: 2003 (in Spanish)
  7. ^ "Gobernador electo (2003)". Atlas Electoral de Andy Tow. Archived from the original on 2012-03-07. Retrieved 2012-06-22.

Results

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