What is on the political agenda of Latin America in the further course of 2023?

Presidential elections are set to take place in Ecuador, Guatemala, and Argentina, highlighting a busy political calendar in Latin America during the second half of 2023.

Various events have influenced the schedule in the first half of the year.

President Guillermo Lasso dissolved the National Assembly in Ecuador and called for new general elections after applying the ‘death cross’ in May, avoiding an impeachment trial.

The country will hold early general elections on August 20, where the new President, Vice-President, and members of the National Assembly will be elected.

Guatemala also witnessed presidential elections in June, resulting in a run-off election scheduled for August 20.

The first round of voting saw Sandra Torres and Bernardo Arévalo emerge as the leading candidates, but neither secured a majority.

The political agenda for August includes Argentina’s open, simultaneous, and mandatory primary elections (PASO) on the 13th.

These elections serve as a national poll, with political parties presenting their candidates for the upcoming General Elections.

The results of the PASO could indicate a clear trend for the October elections.

Looking ahead to October, Argentina will elect its new President and Vice-President on the 22nd.

Additionally, provincial and local authorities will be elected in most provinces. However, some provinces have opted not to hold elections concurrently with the national elections.

If no candidate reaches the required threshold, a second round of voting will occur in November.

Colombia will conduct regional elections on October 29, including the election of governors for all 32 departments, mayors for all municipalities, and various other positions at the regional and local levels.

The Venezuelan opposition has scheduled primary elections for October 22 to determine the candidate who will face President Nicolás Maduro in the 2023 presidential elections.

Argentina may hold a second round of general elections in November if no candidate secures a majority in October.

Chile will witness the conclusion of the Constitutional Council’s work, followed by a vote on the proposed new Political Constitution.

December’s political calendar includes a plebiscite in Chile on the 17th, where citizens decide whether to adopt a new Political Constitution.

Most Latin American governments will determine minimum wage adjustments for 2024 throughout November and December, considering projected inflation and productivity.

The intense electoral agenda in 2023 occurs against a backdrop of global economic challenges, social unrest, and growing demands from citizens.

Trust in traditional elites, politics, and institutions remains low, with high levels of polarization and fragmentation observed across the region.