Lost in thought. Ricardo Balbín gazes towards the Plaza de los Dos Congresos. This statue commemorates a pivotal figure in Argentina’s political landscape.
Ricardo Balbín was a leader of the Radical Party. He was also a four-time presidential candidate. Balbín’s commitment to democracy shone brightly. He famously said: “He who wins governs and he who loses helps.”
Balbín was born in Buenos Aires in 1904. He died in La Plata in 1981. At 18, he joined the Unión Cívica Radical. He moved to La Plata. The city’s dynamic student movement fueled his political commitment. He enrolled in Law School in 1924.
Balbín became a delegate to the Federación Universitaria de La Plata. He earned his law degree in 1927. But he dedicated his life to politics. He ran for president in 1951. He ran again in 1958 and twice in 1973. Balbín chaired his party’s national committee until his death.
He became a fan of the Club de Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata. On trips between La Plata and Buenos Aires, he met Indalia Ponzetti. She was a teacher. She became his lifelong partner. They had three children: Lía Elena, Osvaldo and Enrique. Balbín’s political involvement marked Argentina’s 20th century.
In 1931, he was elected provincial deputy. But the elections were annulled. In 1940, he was a candidate again. He promised to resign if there was fraud. There was fraud. Balbín resigned.
He strongly opposed Juan Domingo Perón. Yet, his farewell words to Perón are remembered. Perón died on July 1 1974. Balbín said: “This old adversary bids farewell to a friend.”
He was hospitalized. He had cardiac and respiratory issues. Ricardo Balbín died in 1981 at 77. The Universidad Nacional de La Plata has a Ricardo Balbín Free Professorship.
Notice Balbín’s baggy suit. His gaze to the right. The statue is a reminder of his impact. A few meters away stands a tribute to Alfredo Palacios. Like Balbín, Palacios never became president. He also opposed Peronism.
Ricardo Balbín’s legacy endures. He was a key figure in Argentine politics. His statue serves as a testament to his dedication. It reminds us of his commitment to democracy. His words still resonate. “He who wins governs and he who loses helps.” This phrase encapsulates his vision. It speaks to the essence of democratic values.