Rodrigo López, economist and sociologist at the Centro de Estudios Económicos y Sociales Scalabrini Ortiz (CESO):

“The favorable electoral result for the government will allow it to pass labor, provisional and tax reforms. The new legislators take offi ce on Dec. 10, in numbers that are more favorable to the government. In addition, the end of the year is when Argentina enters into a lethargic period that includes the end of the school year, Christmas and New Year’s and summer vacations until March, when legislators resume their duties. During this time, there’s an amnesty and a collective amnesia. This is the time when the government can push through its most  unpopular measures. In addition, the government will continue to take advantage of the internal crisis among Peronists, so that it can continue to count on the support of the legislators opposed to Kirchnerism. A faction of Peronism is willing to vote in support of corporations. The government has tried to send messages by using the armed forces to arrest Kirchnerists (the former energy minister and the former vice president). There will be a quick debate to make a show for the media. There will only be minor challenges to getting the legislation passed, with some articles being presented to simulate debate and agreement. One, for example, is the ridiculous 17 percent tax on wine, the national beverage and the main industry for many provinces represented in the Senate. Finally, the reforms will not stimulate investment or growth. On the contrary. The government believes that lowering taxes will benefit businesses, but in fact, it will only reduce both public and private demand.”