Letter from Buenos Aires - no 3.

This week Xiomara returned to the UK to celebrate her father (Q’s) birthday, unwisely leaving me in charge here at Palacio Haedo. However, save for Ghost’s occasional bark, things have remained strangely quiet!

Those familiar with Argentine politics will recall that the Peronistas - members of the socialist Justicialist (Peronist) party founded in 1946 by Juan Perón and his wife Evita - were trounced by Javier Milei and his libertarians in the 2023 elections. Alberto Fernández, the last Peronist party leader, left power under a cloud of domestic violence allegations. The question remains - who will take his place?

Step forward La Rioja Governor Ricardo Quintela, proposing himself as ‘the unity candidate’- although former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner has other ideas. All of this might not matter for some time, as the Peronists control only five of twenty three provinces and no longer command a majority in the Senate. Yet that could change in Argentine politics, for the socialists may be down, but given historic voting propensities, not out.

VP Victoria Villarruel was probably the right choice to send to Spain this week on a ‘repair mission’ following President Javier Milei’s insults in May to Begoña Gómez, wife of Spain’s PM Pedro Sánchez. However, she met with Popular Party and Senate Speaker, Pedro Rollán rather than Sánchez - perhaps rubbing salt into the wound. By way of absolution, Villarruel has also visited Pope Francis this week. Maybe His Holiness’s divine intervention could heal the rift?

Whilst reviewing odd events, on Monday Javier Milei hosted Boris Johnson at Casa Rosada. It is not known precisely what topics were addressed or what they found in common, however they did reveal that there was absolutely no discussion about the Falklands/Malvenas or tango. Instead it seems that they spoke about Mick Jagger. Apparently Milei is shortly planning a visit to the UK in which he will meet with his idol - Mick, not Boris!

Boris left behind a free copy of his latest book 'Unleashed’. According to Casa Rosada sources it remains unopened.