Federalism and Covid-19 in Argentina

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic posed several serious challenges to the Argentine federation. When the Covid-19 pandemic reached Argentina in March 2020, all federal institutions were set in motion, demonstrating the importance of federalism in the fight against the pandemic. The first decisions were taken (almost simultaneously) by the four levels that make up the federation: the federal government, the provinces, the autonomous city of Buenos Aires, and the municipalities. When the federal government took the lead in the matter, coordination and dialogue were present in the most important decisions taken initially. But soon after, centralist practices prevailed again. This chapter analyses the initiatives taken by the different levels of government and the lack of an adequate conduct of intergovernmental relations. It concludes that in this emergency the country once again reaffirmed its tendency towards centralisation through hyper-presidentialism, which has not respected the important competences of the provinces, the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, and the municipalities. © 2022 selection and editorial matter, Nico Steytler.