A New Opportunity for Argentina

Mauricio Macri is taking office after defeating the Peronist candidate in Argentina’s presidential elections earlier this month. This marks one more step towards the end of populism. Cristina Fernández de Kirchner is leaving office after twelve years, counting the four during which her husband Néstor was president. The couple had devised a plan that outsmarted democratic alternation in power: they wanted to each take turns ruling the country every four years. In fact, they ruled together; but Néstor died and she continued on her own, being elected to serve an additional term. They wanted to perpetuate themselves, like Evo Morales in Bolivia and Rafael Correa in Ecuador.