A few days before the legislative elections on October 26 in Buenos Aires, La Libertad Avanza (LLA) launched a spot to explain how to vote with the single ballot, but the result was a torrent of ridicule. Diego Santilli, nicknamed “El Colorado” for his reddish hair, and Karen Reichardt head the purple list after the resignation of José Luis Espert, whose photo remains on the ballot by decision of the Electoral Justice.
Espert, a former minister accused of receiving money from “Fred” Machado, the businessman linked to drug trafficking, abandoned his candidacy at the beginning of October, but the ballots were already printed. In the spot, filmed on October 14, Santilli explains: “Don’t worry, because by checking the box you are voting for Karen, the La Libertad Avanza candidates and me. To vote for Colorado, you mark the bald guy.” The phrase, which avoids naming Espert but alludes to his baldness, seeks to clarify, while Reichardt adds: “This October 26, join us with your vote.”
In X, the spot unleashed a meme festival. One edited the ballot putting a bald Santilli next to Reichardt, with the text: “Now everyone bald!”, accompanied by comments calling him “newly ridiculous.” Another meme, with a screenshot of the spot, reads: “Be careful with the pela who makes you blush,” and mocks: “The pelado narco in the photo, LLA surpasses himself.” In another image, Santilli appears blushing with the text: “Kiss the bald guy who turns red Diego Santillii”, along with phrases that compare him to an absurd sitcom. A fourth meme shows Bugs Bunny holding the purple ballot, saying: “Do you want to vote for Colorado? Mark the bald one, doc!”, while another user regrets not having created “this mess.” Some call it “the most bizarre spot in history”, and others joke: “It’s the most bald election since ’83.” LLA’s effort to clarify only generated confusion and laughter, giving the Twitter people material to mock until the dark room.
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