Case Study: Argentina

Abstract

During the Covid-19 pandemic governments were forced to address enormouschallenges; among them, ensuring democratic continuity even while having toimplement extreme measures to protect their populations. Holding electionsin the context of Covid-19 was a test of institutional consolidation, especiallyin countries with a shorter democratic history such as Argentina. Here, withrecent experiences of political and economic instability, holding electionsunder pandemic conditions could have either strengthened democraticarrangements or resulted in backsliding. The main challenge was to maintainthe greatest normality possible by the avoidance of excessive changesthat could damage democratic legitimacy—while at the same time makingthe adjustments necessary for holding the elections within a framework ofdiligence and health security.This case study describes the challenges and dilemmas faced by Argentina inholding its 2021 elections, and the solutions implemented. The study beginswith a description of the legal background that regulates the electoral process,and continues with a description of how the Covid-19 pandemic affectedthe country. Then the bargaining process to elaborate a protocol with Covid-preventive measures is described. It ends with a summary of the electoralresults and lessons learned.