Republican Proposal (Spanish: Propuesta Republicana) is a right-wing political party in Argentina. It is usually referred to as PRO. PRO was formed as an electoral alliance in 2005, but was transformed into a unitary party on 3 June 2010.
PRO is principally an alliance between Commitment to Change, the party of Mauricio Macri based in Buenos Aires, and Recreate for Growth (Recrear) of Ricardo López Murphy. It was created ahead of the legislative elections of 23 October 2005. At the 2005 elections the alliance won nine of the 127 elected deputies (out of 257).
Other provincial right-wing parties have joined under the Recrear banner within PRO. Macri and López Murphy had been in discussions with Governor Jorge Sobisch, leader of the Neuquino People's Movement, another leading right-wing politician, although these discussions broke down. Macri is the President of the alliance.
In the June 2007 elections in the city of Buenos Aires, PRO decisively won the election, with Macri becoming Head of Government and the alliance taking 15 of the 30 seats in the city legislature. In addition to Commitment to Change and Recreate for Growth, the alliance included the Democratic Progressive Party, the Democratic Party, the Federal Party, the Movement for Integration and Development (MID), the Popular Union, the White Party and the Front of Independent Youth.
In the October 2007 Presidential and legislative elections, PRO did not officially back a candidate but gave tacit support to the bid of López Murphy, who stood as the Recrear candidate. Sobisch also stood. López Murphy did poorly gaining just 1.45% of the vote. PRO and its allies stood in the congressional elections and made a net gain of 2 seats in the Chamber of Deputies winning 6 seats overall. However, its 13% share of the vote in October 2007 in the city of Buenos Aires contrasted with its 44% share just a few months previously in the city elections.
In August 2009, Recreate for Growth gave up its formal independence and was completely absorbed by the Republican Proposal. On 3 June 2010, the alliance became recognized as a political party.
Famous quotes containing the word republican:
“If you believe that a nation is really better off which achieves for a comparative few, those who are capable of attaining it, high culture, ease, opportunity, and that these few from their enlightenment should give what they consider best to those less favored, then you naturally belong to the Republican Party. But if you believe that people must struggle slowly to the light for themselves, then it seems to me that you are a Democrat.”
—Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962)