ARE ALL THE PERONISTAS THE SAME?
First of all let me state that I was a fiery antiperonista during the dictatorship of 1946-1955, afterwards and in due time toning down to becoming a non-peronis
ta. This said, and it now being 2019, the parameters are substantially different and the question to be asked is whether today all the peronistas are the same.
The reason I am tackling this issue is that in the last few days, particularly after Juan Schiaretti’s victory in Cordoba last Sunday, quite a few of my acquaintances – mainly those who are no longer youngsters – have become panicky at the idea of a peronista comeback. This has made me reflect on the necessity to discriminate and to separate the peronistas who are following republican lines from those who continue along the populist ones.
For instance, can one consider that Manuel Calvo, 41 years old and with impeccable republican credentials, elected Cordoba’s lieutenant-governor, has anything in common with the rabid members of La Campora? Also, in the last few weeks we have witnessed an interesting federalisation, with victories in various provinces for local parties integrated by peronistas who beat the representatives of the Justicialist Party (PJ), better said of the Kirch
neristas. In all these cases one could witness democracy and the republic in action. On the other hand, the photo taken at PJ’s headquarters on Tuesday shows all the leading populists lumped together, yet the absences showed how many leading pero
nistas want to have nothing to do with them. Hypothetically, although I will vote for Macri, if in the final round of the next presidential election his rival were for instance Schiaretti, the night before I would sleep soundly in the knowledge that, whatever the result, the republic would not be in jeopardy. So it is now essential that we understand that the issue is not anymore between peronistas and nonperonistas, but that the battle is on between republicans, on the one hand, and populists on the other. In other words, “It’s the Republic, stupid!”
Happily enough, and contrary to what many believe, the chances of the republic coming out on top are good. But one has to work at it.
Meanwhile, on the sidelines one can observe those who have their fingers pointed upwards, trying to feel in which direction the winds of power are blowing. Such is the case of four of the Supreme Court justices (plaudits for the fifth!). But all we can do about them is to let history be their final judge! Harry Ingham City