Kicillof launches 2027 bid after MDF plenary
Axel Kicillof, governor of Buenos Aires province, launched his presidential candidacy for 2027 on Monday, two days after leading an event in Avellaneda where he presented his national political organization. He said the work is aimed at defeating Javier Milei. The announcement came at the close of the federal plenary of the Movimiento Derecho al Futuro (MDF), which brought together activists, leaders and referents from various provinces in Avellaneda. The gathering served as the national presentation of the space he leads and was dominated by discussions about building a political alternative for 2027.[S2]
In an interview with Ari Lijalad on El Destape, Kicillof highlighted the participation of representatives from across the country and argued there is a demand to build an alternative to Milei's government. He pointed to enthusiasm, willingness and energy regarding the coming political scenario and linked that participation to the need to build an alternative next year. He said there is an obligation to end what he called a nightmare next year. According to his account, the event had been organized with ten thematic commissions, originally planned for about 250 people each, but the response exceeded expectations: he said there were 10,000 registrations and then additional attendees, with reports of 30,000 people at the act.[S2]
A broad front and a candidacy that is a result
Kicillof reiterated that the reconstruction of an alternative must be broad and detailed the need to bring in different sectors because a major disappointment is coming, including among those who voted for Milei. He recalled that the previous electoral experience in 2023 was not good, when the space lost in many provinces. He argued it is necessary to build with sectors that must be enthused again and to be willing and prepared for what is coming, constructing it with all the breadth required. Speaking to Radio 10, he confirmed that his phrase count on me, expressed at the previous Saturday's first federal plenary of the MDF at the UTN in Villa Domínico, was aimed at 2027, but clarified that a candidacy is a result, not a starting point, and that the task is to listen and articulate.[S1]
He also addressed the discussion about candidacies and electoral fronts for 2027. Rather than limiting the effort to party leaders, he raised the need to build a broader political force. He said that beyond the debate taking shape around candidacies and electoral fronts, a great political force must be articulated that includes not only leaders and party expressions but also different sectors being attacked by Milei's policies, which must have not only representation but a project. He argued that now there is a need, in addition to being opposition, to be an option.[S2]
Criticism of Milei's economic and foreign policy
Kicillof questioned the direction of Milei's government and argued its policies do not respond adequately to the changes occurring globally. He said that what Milei's government is doing amid this change is the worst that can be done. He linked that diagnosis to the effects of economic policies in both the short term and on structural issues. He mentioned the impact on the productive fabric and living conditions, as well as long-term changes related to the productive matrix and the country's international insertion. He said these are all things being discussed across the planet, as every economy, country and region looks at how to insert itself.[S2]
On international affairs, he argued there are things that certainly should not be done and that Milei is doing them, such as destroying science and the university, because everyone sees opportunities in the productive reconfiguration, so they do not defund education or industry but do the opposite. He contrasted that with countries around the world, including the United States, which he said are seeing that parts of the industrial process move to their territory because it is sovereignty, while Milei is destroying industry. He added that a country cannot align its national interest with automatic dependence on foreign designs, calling it absurd and senseless, and said such close relations would always have been a problem but are even more so now, as opportunities are lost in this moment of international dispute.[S1]
He also criticized that the government defunds health, retirees and people with disabilities, and then blames the victims. He said that if someone loses their job, cannot make ends meet or falls into debt, the government treats it as their fault. In his speech at the plenary, he denounced that Milei took resources from Buenos Aires province, from its retirees, teachers and workers, and from transport, and said that if you add what was taken from all provinces, it amounts to the same as the fake surplus the government claims to have.[S1]
