1 of 1 Javier Milei and Sergio Massa, candidates for the presidency of Argentina Photo: Alejandro Pagni, Luis Robayo/AFP Javier Milei and Sergio Massa, candidates for the presidency of Argentina Photo: Alejandro Pagni, Luis Robayo/AFP
The Brazilian government, through Itamaraty, is analyzing possible scenarios for relations with Argentina after the presidential elections scheduled for next Sunday (19) in the country.
The election campaigns of Sergio Massa, Peronist candidate and current Minister of Economy of Argentina; and Javier Milei, a farright candidate, have been guided primarily by the country’s economic problems.
Future negotiations with the neighboring country bilaterally and as a bloc are being planned cautiously by the Brazilian government.
Itamaraty interlocutors heard from GloboNews explain that “there is a network of interests between the two countries that is independent of the current governments” and that “certain issues are part of state relations.”
Against the background of statements from sources in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there are threats about Argentina’s possible exit from Mercosur, which the candidate Javier Milei has expressed throughout the election campaign.
Milei, who came second in the first round of voting, has said in recent months that Mercosur a bloc founded by Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay should not be strengthened because it is a “failure.”
The populist candidate, who defines himself as a libertarian, also opposes his country’s membership in the Brics a bloc that currently includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, as well as Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Ethiopia could accommodate United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates and Iran.
Itamaraty sources also recall that even Uruguay has already threatened to leave the South American bloc, but according to Itamaraty’s analysis, this is “a decision that would generate internal costs” and make economic sectors react.
Despite the speeches, Brazilian diplomacy is clear that a possible election of Milei should not lead to the end of relations between the two countries, especially trade relations. Argentina is Brazil’s third largest trading partner after the USA and China and Brazil’s most important economic partner in South America.
Argentina: Javier Milei and Sergio Massa debate for the last time before the election
However, one of the State Department’s priorities is the possibility that the outcome in Argentina could impact negotiations on the MercosurEuropean Union trade deal.
Advancing negotiations between the two blocs to complete what has been going on for more than 20 years is one of the priorities of the Brazilian government, which sees the last weeks of 2023 as a key moment for the success of the operation.
In Itamaraty’s assessment, the Brazilian government’s interlocutors have received signals to calm the country. “There are people from Milei’s campaign who are sending signals that Brazil should remain calm on bilateral issues. But when it comes to personality, anything is possible,” emphasizes a diplomat interviewed by GloboNews.
Milei is critical of the government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and has already classified the PT member as a “socialist with a totalitarian vocation”. The Peronist candidate Sergio Massa is on the side of the PT government and is supported by current President Alberto Fernández. is considered a friend of Squid.
In the last presidential debate between Massa and Milei, the relationship with Brazil was one of the points of discussion. Massa accused Milei of wanting to break off relations with the country.
“You are part of a government in which [o presidente] Alberto Fernández also didn’t speak [o expresidente brasileiro Jair ]Bolsonaro. So what’s the problem if I talk or don’t talk to Lula?” Milei asked after being criticized by his opponent for not meeting the PT member if elected.
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The date was chosen by the Brazilian government, which temporarily holds the presidency of the bloc, so that, in addition to logistical issues, the commitment takes place before the new president of Argentina takes office.