Pact of Olivos

Carlos Menem (left) and Raúl Alfonsín (right) agreed a number of points for the 1994 amendment of the Constitution of Argentina

The Olivos Pact (Spanish: Pacto de Olivos) refers to a series of documents signed on November 17, 1993, between the governing President of Argentina, Carlos Menem, and former President and leader of the opposition UCR, Raúl Alfonsín, that formed the basis of the constitutional reform of 1994. These memorandum of understanding were signed in the official presidential residence, the Quinta de Olivos.

Context

Raúl Alfonsín was the president of Argentina for the Radical Civic Union (UCR) from 1983 to 1989, and resigned during an economic crisis. Carlos Menem, from the Justicialist Party (PJ), was elected in 1989. The Convertibility plan ended the economic crisis and increased his popularity, allowing the PJ to win the 1991 and 1993 midterm elections. The presidential term of office was of six years, with no reelection. Menem sought to change that with an amendment to the Constitution of Argentina. For this he would require a supermajority of two thirds of both houses of the Argentine Congress. Although that was a feasible option at the Senate, it was a remote possibility at the Chamber of Deputies. Menem sought creative alternatives for that, such as a legal technicality that the requirement would be two thirds of the legislators present at the Congress during the session instead of two thirds of the complete body (and thus exploit circumstances where opposing legislators may be absent).

Agreed terms

In an attempt to remain in power, Menem negotiated with Alfonsín for support in calling for constitutional reform and the re-election clause. In exchange, among other points, the government would grant autonomy to the city of Buenos Aires, which would have its own magistrature.

Consequences

In spite of opposition from different sectors, particularly within Alfonsín's own UCR, the constitutional reform took place mostly as expected by Menem and Alfonsín, with Menem winning re-election as President in 1995, followed by UCR Senator Fernando de la Rúa's election as Mayor of Buenos Aires in 1996.

External links

• Todo argentina: Historia Argentina, La democracia, Año 1993 , La presidencia de Menem (1989-1995) Template:Es icon