Deolindo Bittel
Encyclopedia
Deolindo Bittel was a prominent Argentine politician.
, a Chaco Province
town known for its tannin
industry, in 1922 to a farming family of French Belgian descent. He was 9 when he witnessed his father fall to his death into a deep ditch, and was later sent to nearby Esperanza, Santa Fe
Province to complete his secondary schooling. Bittel enrolled at the National University of the Littoral
, where he received a degree as a notary public
in 1945. He later married the former Nora Salas.
The advent of Peronism
in Argentina led Bittel to run on Juan Perón
's Labor Party ticket for mayor of Villa Ángela in 1946
. The young candidate was elected, though the results were annulled by the then-conservative Chaco authorities. Following Chaco's 1951 designation as a province, voters in 1953 elected the Peronist ticket of Governor Felipe Gallardo and his running mate, "Chacho" Bittel. The September 1955 coup d'état
against Perón brought an end to the Gallardo-Bittel tenure, as well as to the province's designation as "Provincia Presidente Perón."
President Arturo Frondizi
's lifting of the 1956 electoral ban on Peronists led to their nationwide candidacies ahead of the 1962 elections
, and of 14 provinces whose governorships were in play, they carried 10 - including Bittel's victory in Chaco. These elections, however, also led to Frondizi's overthrow by the anti-peronist military, leaving governor-elect Bittel unable to take office. New elections
were called for 1963, for which Bittel agreed to an alliance with his former adversaries, the Conservative Party; elected with conservative running mate Nilson Franchisena by over 12% over the centrist UCR
-P, he was duly sworn in as governor on October 12.
to Chaco, which became an important source of funds for education in the underdeveloped province. Bittel also commissioned a comprehensive hydrological
study of his flood-prone province, debate over which was drowned by a devastating 1965 flood near the capital, Resistencia
. He was reelected in 1965 by 11%, though Peronists' new success at that year's midterm elections
again led to the overthrow of the president (Arturo Illia) and to the replacement of civilian governors by military comptrollers.
The dictatorship in 1966 eventually responded to a growing crisis atmosphere by calling elections in 1973
, which the exiled Perón's Justicialist Party
won handily - electing a new president, majorities in both houses of Congress and among governors (including Bittel). He and running mate Alberto Torresagasti won by 29%, and they took office on May 25. Bittel's second turn at the governorship was marked by his development efforts, and his three-year plan was approved by the legislature in 1974. The plan focused on public works investments for Chaco, which had not shared adequately in the national prosperity that had prevailed over the previous decade. His efforts were hampered in 1975 both by a sudden inflationary crisis in Argentina (335%), as well as by a sharp drop in global cotton
prices - thereby adversely affecting a leading source of revenue for the agrarian province. He was increasingly distanced from the right-wing Peronist leadership in power at the national level and ultimately, a March 24, 1976, military coup
again cut his tenure short.
The Justicialist Party (JP) elected Bittel its Vice President during the dictatorship, though they and other political parties remained banned from public activity; as the party's titular leader, deposed President Isabel Perón, remained in custody, this made Bittel the party's highest-ranking active member. In that capacity, Bittel secretly authored a detailed report on human rights atrocities
- many of whose victims were his fellow Peronists. The report was delivered to the fact-finding commission assembled by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
, during their September 1979 visit to Argentina. The file helped put the lie to the regime's vigorous denials of its abuses, and helped align Peronists (hitherto divided between left and right-wing factions) against the dictatorship. Elections increasingly likely, he led the JP into the "Multiparty" formed by UCR
leader Ricardo Balbín
in early 1981 to lobby the dictatorship for a return to democracy.
helped lead to elections in 1983
. The Justicialist Party struggled to nomiante its candidates. Nominating conventions dragged on for two months after the rival UCR
nominated Raúl Alfonsín
. The party's cornerstone, the CGT
labor union, successfully supported Ítalo Lúder
(who had served as acting President during Mrs. Perón's September 1975 sick leave) for President, and Bittel became his running mate. The choice was made partly to balance Lúder's record, as he had authorized repression against the violent left in 1975, whereas Bittel had been a populist who was remembered for his defense of the disappeared during the dictatorship.
Ultimately, the Peronists' late start (the nomination was secured less than two months before election day), Alfonsín's skillful campaign, voters' bitter memories of Isabel Perón's chaotic tenure, and other problems put their ticket at a disadvantage. Bittel himself unwittingly gave the ticket bad publicity when, during a Buenos Aires rally, he botched one of Perón's many aphorisms, declaring that:
Hardly noticed at the time, the misstep did not significantly contribute to the outcome (a loss for the Lúder-Bittel ticket by 12%).
following his electoral loss, and he took office on December 10. At his party's request, he relinquished the seat in 1987 to become Mayor of the provincial capital, Resistencia
. Bittel suffered a serious automobile accident in 1988, which left without the use of one arm, and in chronic pain. He was returned to the Senate in 1989, where he eventually became Chairman of the Committee on Senate Accords, as well as Vice Chairman of the Committee on Freedom of Expression. His experience in Chaco Province also led to a post as Vice President of the Indigenous Parliament of the Americas.
Two months before the end of his Senate term in 1997, Bittel was admitted to a hospital for abdominal surgery. He suffered complications, however, and died at age 75. The Lower House of the Chaco Legislature was renamed in his honor, and his widow, Nora Bittel, became Director of the charitable foundation in his name.
Early career and entry into politics
Deolindo Felipe Bittel was born in Villa ÁngelaVilla Ángela
Villa Ángela is a city in the province of Chaco, Argentina, 186 km west of the provincial capital Resistencia. It is on the Gran Chaco, a lowland region of the Río de la Plata basin. It has 43,511 inhabitants as per the , making it the third largest in the province.- History :In 1908, Carlos...
, a Chaco Province
Chaco Province
Chaco is an Argentine province located in the north of the country, near the border with Paraguay. Its capital is Resistencia on the Paraná River opposite the city of Corrientes...
town known for its tannin
Tannin
A tannin is an astringent, bitter plant polyphenolic compound that binds to and precipitates proteins and various other organic compounds including amino acids and alkaloids.The term tannin refers to the use of...
industry, in 1922 to a farming family of French Belgian descent. He was 9 when he witnessed his father fall to his death into a deep ditch, and was later sent to nearby Esperanza, Santa Fe
Esperanza, Santa Fe
Esperanza is a city in the center of the province of Santa Fe, Argentina. It has about 36,000 inhabitants as of the and it is the head town of the Las Colonias Department....
Province to complete his secondary schooling. Bittel enrolled at the National University of the Littoral
National University of the Littoral
The National University of the Littoral is a university in Argentina. It is based in Santa Fe, the capital of the province of the same name, and it has colleges and other academic facilities in Esperanza, Reconquista and Gálvez, also in Santa Fe Province.-History:The original institution was...
, where he received a degree as a notary public
Notary public
A notary public in the common law world is a public officer constituted by law to serve the public in non-contentious matters usually concerned with estates, deeds, powers-of-attorney, and foreign and international business...
in 1945. He later married the former Nora Salas.
The advent of Peronism
Peronism
Peronism , or Justicialism , is an Argentine political movement based on the programmes associated with former President Juan Perón and his second wife, Eva Perón...
in Argentina led Bittel to run on Juan Perón
Juan Perón
Juan Domingo Perón was an Argentine military officer, and politician. Perón was three times elected as President of Argentina though he only managed to serve one full term, after serving in several government positions, including the Secretary of Labor and the Vice Presidency...
's Labor Party ticket for mayor of Villa Ángela in 1946
Argentine general election, 1946
The Argentine general election of 1946, the last for which only men were enfranchised, was held on 24 February. Voters chose both the President and their legislators and with a turnout of 83.4%, it produced the following results:-President:aAbstentions....
. The young candidate was elected, though the results were annulled by the then-conservative Chaco authorities. Following Chaco's 1951 designation as a province, voters in 1953 elected the Peronist ticket of Governor Felipe Gallardo and his running mate, "Chacho" Bittel. The September 1955 coup d'état
Revolución Libertadora
The Revolución Libertadora was a military uprising that ended the second presidential term of Juan Perón in Argentina, on September 16, 1955.-History:...
against Perón brought an end to the Gallardo-Bittel tenure, as well as to the province's designation as "Provincia Presidente Perón."
President Arturo Frondizi
Arturo Frondizi
Arturo Frondizi Ercoli was the President of Argentina between May 1, 1958, and March 29, 1962, for the Intransigent Radical Civic Union.-Early life:Frondizi was born in Paso de los Libres, Corrientes Province...
's lifting of the 1956 electoral ban on Peronists led to their nationwide candidacies ahead of the 1962 elections
Argentine legislative election, 1962
The Argentine legislative elections of 1962 was held on 18 March. Voters chose their legislators and governors; with a turnout of 85.7%, it produced the following results:-Argentine Chamber of Deputies:*Results were annulled on May 1.-Background:...
, and of 14 provinces whose governorships were in play, they carried 10 - including Bittel's victory in Chaco. These elections, however, also led to Frondizi's overthrow by the anti-peronist military, leaving governor-elect Bittel unable to take office. New elections
Argentine general election, 1963
The Argentine general election of 1963 was held on 7 July. Voters chose both the President and their legislators and with a turnout of 85.6%, it produced the following results:-President:aAbstentions.-Argentine Chamber of Deputies:...
were called for 1963, for which Bittel agreed to an alliance with his former adversaries, the Conservative Party; elected with conservative running mate Nilson Franchisena by over 12% over the centrist UCR
UCR
UCR may refer to:* University of California, Riverside* Unified Cornish Revised, a variety of the Cornish language* Uniform Crime Reports* Under color removal* University of Costa Rica* Unión Cívica Radical, an Argentine political party...
-P, he was duly sworn in as governor on October 12.
Governor of Chaco Province
Governor Bittel steered a moderate course, and avoided partisan wrangling. He granted municipal demands for restored prior autonomy and introduced the lotteryLottery
A lottery is a form of gambling which involves the drawing of lots for a prize.Lottery is outlawed by some governments, while others endorse it to the extent of organizing a national or state lottery. It is common to find some degree of regulation of lottery by governments...
to Chaco, which became an important source of funds for education in the underdeveloped province. Bittel also commissioned a comprehensive hydrological
Hydrology
Hydrology is the study of the movement, distribution, and quality of water on Earth and other planets, including the hydrologic cycle, water resources and environmental watershed sustainability...
study of his flood-prone province, debate over which was drowned by a devastating 1965 flood near the capital, Resistencia
Resistencia
Resistencia may refer to:* Resistencia, Chaco, a city in Argentina* Resistencia International Airport , an airport in Chaco Province, Argentina* Resistencia Civil, Civil resistance* La Resistencia, a 1972 Argentine film...
. He was reelected in 1965 by 11%, though Peronists' new success at that year's midterm elections
Argentine legislative election, 1965
The Argentine legislative elections of 1965 were held on 17 March. Voters chose their legislators and, with a turnout of 83.5%, it produced the following results:-Argentine Congress:-Background:...
again led to the overthrow of the president (Arturo Illia) and to the replacement of civilian governors by military comptrollers.
The dictatorship in 1966 eventually responded to a growing crisis atmosphere by calling elections in 1973
Argentine general election, March 1973
The first Argentine general election of 1973 was held on 11 March. Voters chose both the President and their legislators and with a turnout of 85.5%, it produced the following results:-President:...
, which the exiled Perón's Justicialist Party
Justicialist Party
The Justicialist Party , or PJ, is a Peronist political party in Argentina, and the largest component of the Peronist movement.The party was led by Néstor Kirchner, President of Argentina from 2003 to 2007, until his death on October 27, 2010. The current Argentine president, Cristina Fernández de...
won handily - electing a new president, majorities in both houses of Congress and among governors (including Bittel). He and running mate Alberto Torresagasti won by 29%, and they took office on May 25. Bittel's second turn at the governorship was marked by his development efforts, and his three-year plan was approved by the legislature in 1974. The plan focused on public works investments for Chaco, which had not shared adequately in the national prosperity that had prevailed over the previous decade. His efforts were hampered in 1975 both by a sudden inflationary crisis in Argentina (335%), as well as by a sharp drop in global cotton
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
prices - thereby adversely affecting a leading source of revenue for the agrarian province. He was increasingly distanced from the right-wing Peronist leadership in power at the national level and ultimately, a March 24, 1976, military coup
National Reorganization Process
The National Reorganization Process was the name used by its leaders for the military government that ruled Argentina from 1976 to 1983. In Argentina it is often known simply as la última junta militar or la última dictadura , because several of them existed throughout its history.The Argentine...
again cut his tenure short.
The Justicialist Party (JP) elected Bittel its Vice President during the dictatorship, though they and other political parties remained banned from public activity; as the party's titular leader, deposed President Isabel Perón, remained in custody, this made Bittel the party's highest-ranking active member. In that capacity, Bittel secretly authored a detailed report on human rights atrocities
Dirty War
The Dirty War was a period of state-sponsored violence in Argentina from 1976 until 1983. Victims of the violence included several thousand left-wing activists, including trade unionists, students, journalists, Marxists, Peronist guerrillas and alleged sympathizers, either proved or suspected...
- many of whose victims were his fellow Peronists. The report was delivered to the fact-finding commission assembled by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights is an autonomous organ of the Organization of American States .Along with the...
, during their September 1979 visit to Argentina. The file helped put the lie to the regime's vigorous denials of its abuses, and helped align Peronists (hitherto divided between left and right-wing factions) against the dictatorship. Elections increasingly likely, he led the JP into the "Multiparty" formed by UCR
UCR
UCR may refer to:* University of California, Riverside* Unified Cornish Revised, a variety of the Cornish language* Uniform Crime Reports* Under color removal* University of Costa Rica* Unión Cívica Radical, an Argentine political party...
leader Ricardo Balbín
Ricardo Balbín
Ricardo Balbín was an Argentine lawyer and politician, and one of the most important figures of the centrist Radical Civic Union , for which he was the presidential nominee four times: in 1951, 1958, and twice in 1973....
in early 1981 to lobby the dictatorship for a return to democracy.
Candidate for Vice President
The collapse of the regime's economic policies and the tragic Falklands WarFalklands War
The Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
helped lead to elections in 1983
Argentine general election, 1983
The Argentine general election of 1983 was held on 30 October and marked the return of Democracy after the 1976's dictatorship self-known as National Reorganization Process...
. The Justicialist Party struggled to nomiante its candidates. Nominating conventions dragged on for two months after the rival UCR
UCR
UCR may refer to:* University of California, Riverside* Unified Cornish Revised, a variety of the Cornish language* Uniform Crime Reports* Under color removal* University of Costa Rica* Unión Cívica Radical, an Argentine political party...
nominated Raúl Alfonsín
Raúl Alfonsín
Raúl Ricardo Alfonsín was an Argentine lawyer, politician and statesman, who served as the President of Argentina from December 10, 1983, to July 8, 1989. Alfonsín was the first democratically-elected president of Argentina following the military government known as the National Reorganization...
. The party's cornerstone, the CGT
General Confederation of Labour (Argentina)
The General Confederation of Labour of the Argentine Republic is a national trade union centre of Argentina founded on September 27, 1930, as the result of the merge of the USA and the COA trade union centres...
labor union, successfully supported Ítalo Lúder
Ítalo Argentino Lúder
Ítalo Argentino Lúder was an Argentinian politician who served as the acting President of Argentina from September 13, 1975 until October 16, 1975, for Isabel Perón....
(who had served as acting President during Mrs. Perón's September 1975 sick leave) for President, and Bittel became his running mate. The choice was made partly to balance Lúder's record, as he had authorized repression against the violent left in 1975, whereas Bittel had been a populist who was remembered for his defense of the disappeared during the dictatorship.
Ultimately, the Peronists' late start (the nomination was secured less than two months before election day), Alfonsín's skillful campaign, voters' bitter memories of Isabel Perón's chaotic tenure, and other problems put their ticket at a disadvantage. Bittel himself unwittingly gave the ticket bad publicity when, during a Buenos Aires rally, he botched one of Perón's many aphorisms, declaring that:
Hardly noticed at the time, the misstep did not significantly contribute to the outcome (a loss for the Lúder-Bittel ticket by 12%).
Senior politician
The Legislature of Chaco Province named Bittel to the SenateArgentine Senate
The Argentine Senate is the upper house of the Argentine National Congress. It has 72 senators: three for each province and three for the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires...
following his electoral loss, and he took office on December 10. At his party's request, he relinquished the seat in 1987 to become Mayor of the provincial capital, Resistencia
Resistencia
Resistencia may refer to:* Resistencia, Chaco, a city in Argentina* Resistencia International Airport , an airport in Chaco Province, Argentina* Resistencia Civil, Civil resistance* La Resistencia, a 1972 Argentine film...
. Bittel suffered a serious automobile accident in 1988, which left without the use of one arm, and in chronic pain. He was returned to the Senate in 1989, where he eventually became Chairman of the Committee on Senate Accords, as well as Vice Chairman of the Committee on Freedom of Expression. His experience in Chaco Province also led to a post as Vice President of the Indigenous Parliament of the Americas.
Two months before the end of his Senate term in 1997, Bittel was admitted to a hospital for abdominal surgery. He suffered complications, however, and died at age 75. The Lower House of the Chaco Legislature was renamed in his honor, and his widow, Nora Bittel, became Director of the charitable foundation in his name.