Conspiracy theories will stoke Argentine instability

Significance

The bill, adopted as CFK begins her defence against corruption charges today, is unlikely to pass the Lower House. The long-delayed measure (which originally aimed to expand the Court to 25 members) passed following the September 1 assassination attempt against CFK, the circumstances of which are increasingly unclear.

Impacts

• An assassination attempt on the vice-president is an alarming warning of the risks attached to ever-escalating polarisation.
• The Supreme Court move will harden divisions between the government and opposition.
• Both government and opposition will struggle to find and unite behind a strong presidential candidate next year.