Overview

• Chief of Cabinet Guillermo Francos said turning the Buenos Aires provincial contest into a national plebiscite was a mistake.
• Francos credited Axel Kicillof's early-vote strategy with helping him distance from Kirchnerism and consolidate leadership within Peronism.
• He argued the national outcome could differ as voters decide the makeup of Congress and whether to back the President's reform agenda.
• He alleged efforts are under way to damage the government's image and rejected claims that the administration's mandate is in doubt.
• He left the door open to talks with Mauricio Macri and PRO leaders and acknowledged the ruling bloc's weak numbers in Congress.