Despite elite's opposition, Kirchnerismo still has wide popular support in Argentina.
| Autor | Gaudin, Andres |
Ten years after former President Nestor Kirchner (2003-2007) began his political project, which his wife, President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, continued after his death in 2010, and five months before the Oct. 27 legislative elections, the political climate for Argentines continues to be exhaustingly tense, with an opposition that has the backing of all the powers that be.
In addition to the rightist media, agricultural, industrial, and union organizations, and the judiciary, the opposition also has support abroad, from the Sociedad Interamericana de Prensa (SIP) and US TV network CNN to personalities such as 2010 Nobel laureate in literature Mario Vargas Llosa and European dailies such as El Pais (Spain) and Corriere della Sera (Italy). Only the armed forces remain on the sidelines in this dispute, defending democratic institutionality.
Amid a virulent smear campaign, based on unproven daily allegations of corruption, the government continues to enjoy high approval ratings, and the opposition--a collection of parties that range from progressive to various degrees of centrist to the far right--is unable to weave a unifying program that can electorally challenge the continuation of "Kirchnerismo."
While the president continues running the country and sending Congress bills aimed at consolidating the current democratic model--including allowing young people to participate in political life at age 16, enacting rules to reform the questionable judiciary apparatus, and introducing measures to defend the currency--the press and opposition parties and affiliated groups have launched an over-the-top destabilization campaign that often borders on pro-coup positions.
"It is obvious that such a level of confrontation, which some academics call 'pro-overthrow' activities, can only be explained because Kirchnerismo has touched very powerful interests or has implemented inclusive policies that have increased citizen participation in majority sectors of the population that were marginalized before 2003," said sociologist Ignacio Ramirez, an analyst for consulting firm Ibarometro.
Lowering voting age called electoral ploy
Among Kirchnerismo's "mortal sins," Ramirez cites that of having awakened young people's interest in politics. To be able to vote at age 16, adolescents needed to register before April 30. Almost two-thirds of the 780,000 young people eligible to register did so. Since voting is optional for those between 16 and 18 years of age, it...
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