Argentina deeper in crisis, Ecuador votes

Last weekend’s presidential primary elections in Argentina (known as the PASO) sent the economy deeper into crisis. Although the results probably portend a shift to the right (and more investor-friendly policymaking), the dominant theme right now is uncertainty. The resulting pressure on Argentina’s balance of payments will make the recession even larger and push the country one step closer to a sovereign default. Elsewhere, the presidential election in Ecuador on Sunday, which may see a shift back to the left, could also trigger heightened concerns about public finances.