Latest news with #Peronism
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Cristina Fernández's conviction triggers Peronist reassessment
June 19 (UPI) -- In her first public appearance since her arrest, former Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner addressed supporters in a recorded message Wednesday at a rally in Buenos Aires, where crowds gathered to proclaim her innocence. "At this stage, we need to get organized to clarify what the real problem is in our country. We will come back with more wisdom, more unity, and more strength," the former president said in the recording. Fernández was sentenced to six years of house arrest for defrauding the state of an estimated $500 million. Her arrest has, for now, unified Peronist factions around her image and message of resistance. Even factions within Kirchnerist Peronism that previously opposed her have been pushed to rally behind Fernández's narrative, in which she describes herself as "banned" and "imprisoned for standing up to the powerful." But that grassroots momentum faces growing pressure from Argentina's worsening economic crisis and a divided Peronist movement still struggling to form a unified electoral strategy. The first major test will come in September's Buenos Aires elections, followed by nationwide legislative races in October, where the party will need to shift from protest to political competition. For now, no clear leader has emerged to unite the Peronist movement. Meanwhile, a more radical, left-leaning faction is gaining ground under La Cámpora, a group led by former President Fernández's son, Máximo Kirchner. Labor unions under the General Confederation of Labor, or CGT -- long aligned with Peronism -- have expressed solidarity with Fernández. The CGT has encouraged members to mobilize but left participation to individual discretion. It remains unclear whether Peronist governors will continue to follow Fernández's lead --especially in provinces where President Javier Milei and his party, La Libertad Avanza, have gained significant ground. "The ruling against Cristina comes at a moment when Peronism is fragmented, clinging to outdated narratives and struggling to connect with the public's current demands," political analyst Juan Negri said in an interview with Infobae. "People today are more worried about making ends meet than about epic stories from the past." According to polling firm Opinaia, 69% of Argentines familiar with the Supreme Court ruling said they believe the decision was fair. Just 25% see Fernández as either innocent or the target of a political setup. The court ordered all those convicted in the so-called "Vialidad case," including Fernández, to repay funds embezzled through fraudulent administration. The original ruling estimated losses to the state at about $500 million. Judicial authorities are now updating that figure and seeking to recover the funds from Fernández's assets and those of her co-defendants. Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
UPI
2 days ago
- Politics
- UPI
Cristina Fernández's conviction triggers Peronist reassessment
1 of 3 | Argentina's former President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner (pictured at the inauguration of Pope Francis at St Peter's Square at the Vatican in March), was sentenced to six years of house arrest for defrauding the state of an estimated $500 million. File Photo by Stefano Spaziani/UPI | License Photo June 19 (UPI) -- In her first public appearance since her arrest, former Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner addressed supporters in a recorded message Wednesday at a rally in Buenos Aires, where crowds gathered to proclaim her innocence. "At this stage, we need to get organized to clarify what the real problem is in our country. We will come back with more wisdom, more unity, and more strength," the former president said in the recording. Fernández was sentenced to six years of house arrest for defrauding the state of an estimated $500 million. Her arrest has, for now, unified Peronist factions around her image and message of resistance. Even factions within Kirchnerist Peronism that previously opposed her have been pushed to rally behind Fernández's narrative, in which she describes herself as "banned" and "imprisoned for standing up to the powerful." But that grassroots momentum faces growing pressure from Argentina's worsening economic crisis and a divided Peronist movement still struggling to form a unified electoral strategy. The first major test will come in September's Buenos Aires elections, followed by nationwide legislative races in October, where the party will need to shift from protest to political competition. For now, no clear leader has emerged to unite the Peronist movement. Meanwhile, a more radical, left-leaning faction is gaining ground under La Cámpora, a group led by former President Fernández's son, Máximo Kirchner. Labor unions under the General Confederation of Labor, or CGT -- long aligned with Peronism -- have expressed solidarity with Fernández. The CGT has encouraged members to mobilize but left participation to individual discretion. It remains unclear whether Peronist governors will continue to follow Fernández's lead --especially in provinces where President Javier Milei and his party, La Libertad Avanza, have gained significant ground. "The ruling against Cristina comes at a moment when Peronism is fragmented, clinging to outdated narratives and struggling to connect with the public's current demands," political analyst Juan Negri said in an interview with Infobae. "People today are more worried about making ends meet than about epic stories from the past." According to polling firm Opinaia, 69% of Argentines familiar with the Supreme Court ruling said they believe the decision was fair. Just 25% see Fernández as either innocent or the target of a political setup. The court ordered all those convicted in the so-called "Vialidad case," including Fernández, to repay funds embezzled through fraudulent administration. The original ruling estimated losses to the state at about $500 million. Judicial authorities are now updating that figure and seeking to recover the funds from Fernández's assets and those of her co-defendants.
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Large crowds protest in support of Argentine ex-President Fernández as she starts house arrest
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Vowing that a conviction on corruption charges and a permanent ban from public office would not end her decades-long political career, Argentina's former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner began serving a six-year sentence under house arrest as tens of thousands of her supporters rallied in the streets. Her detention marked an ignominious turn for one of the most polarizing and influential political leaders on Latin America's left who served one term as Argentina's first lady (2004-2007), two terms as its president (2007-2015) and one term as its powerful vice president (2019–2023), dominating the country's politics for the last two decades. Still today, Fernández represents the face of opposition to radical libertarian President Javier Milei . Polls suggest that she and her left-wing brand of Peronism , Argentina's nationalist populist movement championing workers' rights, retains the support of some 30% of the country. 'We will return, and, what's more, we will return with more wisdom, with more unity, with more strength,' Fernández, 72, told her ardent supporters in a speech recorded from home confinement and broadcast through loudspeakers into the streets of downtown Buenos Aires. The case in which she was first convicted in 2022 found that she defrauded the state in awarding public works contracts to a friendly businessman. She vehemently denies the charges, accusing her opponents of weaponizing the justice system against her. Before the court decision this month , she had been planning to run for a seat in the Buenos Aires provincial legislature. 'The real economic powers know this model has no future; they know it's collapsing, and that's why I'm in prison,' she said in her speech from her second-floor apartment in the southern Constitución neighborhood of the Argentine capital. The scene of huge crowds setting off flares and chanting 'We will return' underscored the sharp divisions in this South American nation that has long been shaped by Fernández, who vastly increased welfare and public employment during her tenure in a dramatic expansion of the state that left Argentina with sky-high inflation and massive deficits. 'We are all here to fight for Cristina's freedom. If they restrict her more, we will do more,' said Gloria Araya, 64, a retiree protesting on Wednesday. The economic shambles she bequeathed her successors helped vault her nemesis , political outsider Milei, to the presidency in late 2023 . Milei has succeeded in his flagship campaign promise of lowering inflation. In May Argentina's monthly inflation rate plunged below 2% for the first time in five years, the government statistics agency reported last week. But while prices have stabilized, the cost of living remains high in a country where wages are comparatively low. Investment has lagged. Many Argentines say they're still waiting to collect on the economic revival that Mieli promised would follow the pain of austerity . Some analysts say that anger over Fernández's claims of political persecution could add fuel to those economic grievances and help rally an otherwise confused opposition to Milei. 'The conviction and sentencing of Cristina is a unifying force for Peronism,' said Sebastián Mazzuca, an Argentine political scientist. 'If the opposition can link this claim that there was some injustice in her trial with concerns over income and purchasing power, they have an agenda.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Large crowds protest in support of Argentine ex-President Fernández as she starts house arrest
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Vowing that a conviction on corruption charges and a permanent ban from public office would not end her decades-long political career, Argentina's former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner began serving a six-year sentence under house arrest as tens of thousands of her supporters rallied in the streets. Her detention marked an ignominious turn for one of the most polarizing and influential political leaders on Latin America's left who served one term as Argentina's first lady (2004-2007), two terms as its president (2007-2015) and one term as its powerful vice president (2019–2023), dominating the country's politics for the last two decades. Still today, Fernández represents the face of opposition to radical libertarian President Javier Milei. Polls suggest that she and her left-wing brand of Peronism, Argentina's nationalist populist movement championing workers' rights, retains the support of some 30% of the country. "We will return, and, what's more, we will return with more wisdom, with more unity, with more strength,' Fernández, 72, told her ardent supporters in a speech recorded from home confinement and broadcast through loudspeakers into the streets of downtown Buenos Aires. The case in which she was first convicted in 2022 found that she defrauded the state in awarding public works contracts to a friendly businessman. She vehemently denies the charges, accusing her opponents of weaponizing the justice system against her. Before the court decision this month, she had been planning to run for a seat in the Buenos Aires provincial legislature. 'The real economic powers know this model has no future; they know it's collapsing, and that's why I'm in prison,' she said in her speech from her second-floor apartment in the southern Constitución neighborhood of the Argentine capital. The scene of huge crowds setting off flares and chanting 'We will return" underscored the sharp divisions in this South American nation that has long been shaped by Fernández, who vastly increased welfare and public employment during her tenure in a dramatic expansion of the state that left Argentina with sky-high inflation and massive deficits. 'We are all here to fight for Cristina's freedom. If they restrict her more, we will do more," said Gloria Araya, 64, a retiree protesting on Wednesday. The economic shambles she bequeathed her successors helped vault her nemesis, political outsider Milei, to the presidency in late 2023. Milei has succeeded in his flagship campaign promise of lowering inflation. In May Argentina's monthly inflation rate plunged below 2% for the first time in five years, the government statistics agency reported last week. But while prices have stabilized, the cost of living remains high in a country where wages are comparatively low. Investment has lagged. Many Argentines say they're still waiting to collect on the economic revival that Mieli promised would follow the pain of austerity. Some analysts say that anger over Fernández's claims of political persecution could add fuel to those economic grievances and help rally an otherwise confused opposition to Milei. 'The conviction and sentencing of Cristina is a unifying force for Peronism,' said Sebastián Mazzuca, an Argentine political scientist. 'If the opposition can link this claim that there was some injustice in her trial with concerns over income and purchasing power, they have an agenda."
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Large crowds protest in support of Argentine ex-President Fernández as she starts house arrest
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Vowing that a conviction on corruption charges and a permanent ban from public office would not end her decades-long political career, Argentina's former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner began serving a six-year sentence under house arrest as tens of thousands of her supporters rallied in the streets. Her detention marked an ignominious turn for one of the most polarizing and influential political leaders on Latin America's left who served one term as Argentina's first lady (2004-2007), two terms as its president (2007-2015) and one term as its powerful vice president (2019–2023), dominating the country's politics for the last two decades. Still today, Fernández represents the face of opposition to radical libertarian President Javier Milei. Polls suggest that she and her left-wing brand of Peronism, Argentina's nationalist populist movement championing workers' rights, retains the support of some 30% of the country. 'We will return, and, what's more, we will return with more wisdom, with more unity, with more strength,' Fernández, 72, told her ardent supporters in a speech recorded from home confinement and broadcast through loudspeakers into the streets of downtown Buenos Aires. The case in which she was first convicted in 2022 found that she defrauded the state in awarding public works contracts to a friendly businessman. She vehemently denies the charges, accusing her opponents of weaponizing the justice system against her. Before the court decision this month, she had been planning to run for a seat in the Buenos Aires provincial legislature. 'The real economic powers know this model has no future; they know it's collapsing, and that's why I'm in prison,' she said in her speech from her second-floor apartment in the southern Constitución neighborhood of the Argentine capital. The scene of huge crowds setting off flares and chanting 'We will return' underscored the sharp divisions in this South American nation that has long been shaped by Fernández, who vastly increased welfare and public employment during her tenure in a dramatic expansion of the state that left Argentina with sky-high inflation and massive deficits. 'We are all here to fight for Cristina's freedom. If they restrict her more, we will do more,' said Gloria Araya, 64, a retiree protesting on Wednesday. The economic shambles she bequeathed her successors helped vault her nemesis, political outsider Milei, to the presidency in late 2023. Milei has succeeded in his flagship campaign promise of lowering inflation. In May Argentina's monthly inflation rate plunged below 2% for the first time in five years, the government statistics agency reported last week. But while prices have stabilized, the cost of living remains high in a country where wages are comparatively low. Investment has lagged. Many Argentines say they're still waiting to collect on the economic revival that Mieli promised would follow the pain of austerity. Some analysts say that anger over Fernández's claims of political persecution could add fuel to those economic grievances and help rally an otherwise confused opposition to Milei. 'The conviction and sentencing of Cristina is a unifying force for Peronism,' said Sebastián Mazzuca, an Argentine political scientist. 'If the opposition can link this claim that there was some injustice in her trial with concerns over income and purchasing power, they have an agenda.'
