Argentina’s Peronist Family Divided Ahead of Presidential Election
RIO GALLEGOS, Argentina – The Cepernic family, descendants of a sheep-farm owner in Argentina’s Patagonia region and long-time supporters of the Peronist movement, are facing internal divisions as the country prepares for its upcoming presidential election. Opinion polls suggest a close contest, with the Peronist government at risk of losing power to a radical libertarian candidate.
The Cepernics, who have been Peronists for three generations, have seen their support for the movement wane in recent years. While 27-year-old Catalina plans to vote for the Peronists, other family members, including her father, aunt, and grandfather, are considering casting blank votes.
Peronism, a political movement founded by former president Juan Domingo Peron, has governed Argentina for a significant portion of its history. However, its policies have evolved over time, drawing from various ideological perspectives. The current Peronist government, in power since 2019, is facing criticism for the country’s economic crisis, characterized by high inflation and rising poverty rates.
Even traditional Peronist supporters like Catalina feel disillusioned with the movement. She admits to only supporting the Peronists out of fear of the radical libertarian candidate, Javier Milei, who opposes access to abortion.
Marcela Cepernic, Catalina’s aunt, expressed her disillusionment with Peronism due to the country’s dire economic situation. She plans to cast a blank vote in the election, criticizing Peronist candidate Sergio Massa for his perceived inconsistency and willingness to switch parties.
The Cepernic family’s changing political fervor reflects a broader shift in Argentine society, where activism has given way to resignation. Juan Manuel Cepernic, Catalina’s father, noted that his children have lost interest in participating in politics.
The Santa Cruz region, where the Cepernics reside, has traditionally been a stronghold of Peronism. However, the dominance of the movement, led by former presidents Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and the late Nestor Kirchner, has diminished over time.
Juan Manuel described Peronism as “devoid of content” and preferred not to disclose his voting preference, but he made it clear that he would never vote for Milei.
The Cepernics’ connection to Peronism dates back to the time of Catalina’s great-grandfather, Jorge Cepernic. He became a Peronist advocate and served as the governor of Santa Cruz during Peron’s third presidency. Jorge was imprisoned during the military dictatorship, a period when the junta sought to eliminate all traces of Peronism from public life.
Marcelo, Jorge’s son, continued the family’s Peronist legacy by winning the mayoral election in Rio Gallegos. He later campaigned for human rights justice, while Milei’s running mate has questioned the legitimacy of those trials.
Marcelo, now 78, expressed fear of Milei but has decided to cast a blank vote for the first time in 40 years of democracy. He believes that both Massa and Milei are unsuitable for governing the country.
Marcela, Marcelo’s daughter, shares her father’s disappointment with the current political landscape. She feels that no party truly represents her aspirations, despite politics being in her family’s veins.
As Argentina prepares for the presidential election, the divisions within the Cepernic family serve as a microcosm of the broader challenges facing Peronism and its ability to maintain its support base in a changing political landscape.
Reporting by Lucinda Elliott in Buenos Aires and Horacio Cordoba in Rio Gallegos; Editing by Adam Jourdan and Rosalba O’Brien.
