Argentina’s Economy Minister Sergio Massa will run for president in the 2023 election, according to the governing coalition’s announcement on Friday.
Sergio Massa, 51, was a former Peronist congressman and served as the country’s lower house speaker from 2015 to 2019. He became economy minister in December 2022 under President Alberto Fernández.
Interior Minister Eduardo “Wado” de Pedro launched his own bid for the presidency on Thursday, further adding to the political landscape. De Pedro is also a member of the ruling Frente de Todos coalition.
The governing coalition has been dealing with internal conflicts recently, leading to the possibility of a split due to the announcement of two separate presidential bids. However, on Friday, the coalition’s leaders declared their agreement to field a single candidate in the 2023 election.
The coalition has yet to determine its official nominee. Massa and de Pedro are both considered potential candidates, but other individuals may also come forward.
The 2023 election marks the first presidential election since Fernández’s victory in 2019. However, his approval ratings have been declining, and he faces competition from former President Mauricio Macri.
Massa is highly regarded in Argentina and is viewed as a unifying figure for the governing coalition. Nevertheless, he will face challenges in the 2023 election due to the struggling economy and high inflation rates.
Given the competitiveness of the 2023 election, it is premature to predict the eventual winner. Nonetheless, the announcement of Massa’s candidacy signifies a significant development in the presidential race.
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