Bolsonaro urges Argentines to vote responsibly in October

President Jair Bolsonaro today (Jun 6) asked Argentines to vote responsibly in the October presidential elections. “A lot of reason, and less emotion,” he urged, adding that Brazil wants to remain a partner of the neighboring country “both in the economy and in freedom.”

The Brazilian president arrived in Buenos Aires on Thursday morning (Jun 6), and, in a joint statement with President Mauricio Macri, said he hopes Argentine electors have “a lot of responsibility and reason, and less emotion” in deciding the future of Argentina.

“We want to remain partners both in the economy and in freedom—a value we must not forgo. May Argentines choose the best, because this is how we will have peace, prosperity, and joy between our nations,” he added.

Macri said that the two presidents have ratified the commitment to continue working to reestablish democracy in Venezuela and strengthen institution and democratic systems in Brazil and Argentina.

Crisis

Amid the aggravation of the economic crisis in Argentina, Macri announced he will attempt to be reelected in October. In recent statements, the Brazilian president criticized the possibility of leftist groups to regain power in the country. Today, on an official trip to the country, Bolsonaro restated that “all of South America is worried that we may have new Venezuelas in the region,” referring to the severe crisis facing Venezuela and to the government of Nicolás Maduro.

Former President Cristina Kirchner, Macri’s predecessor, announced her candidacy for vice-president in the ticket led by Peronist Alberto Fernández, who was her cabinet chief in the previous tenure.

Mercosur

President Jair Bolsonaro landed in Buenos Aires around 11 am Thursday (6). During his meeting with President Macri, Bolsonaro praised his work in the talks on a Mercosur–EU deal, expected to bring a new lease of life to Mercosur member countries.

In addition to Mercosur, the two heads of state talked about fighting organized crime, logistics, science and technology, entrepreneurship, and energy integration and renewable energy. The Brazilian president also talked about the possible construction of hydroelectric plants on the borders between Rio Grande do Sul state and Argentina.