Within the framework of Militancy Day, former president Cristina Kirchner leads an event at the Quimsa Athletic Association, in the province of Santiago del Estero. This is her first political activity in the interior of the country after being proclaimed president of the Justicialista Party (PJ) and after the ruling of the Criminal Cassation Chamber that confirmed her conviction in the Roads case.
To the rhythm of “Fanático”, the song by Lali Espósito with references to President Javier Milei, the former head of state took the stage shortly after 7 p.m. Next to her were the provincial governor, Gerardo Zamora; the vice governor and leader of the Santiago PJ, José Emilio Neder; Senator Claudia Ledesma Abdala and Carlos Silva Neder.
“I come to Santiago because I love you very much,” were his first words to the attendees, who chanted “let’s go back” before the speech. “I come to thank you because Santiago del Estero always accompanied more than anyone in the entire Republic to the proposals that we came to make to the Argentines since 2003. My grandmother said that it is a good thing to be grateful, although many out there forget . But those of us who are grateful came to Santiago,” he expressed, in what seemed to be a message to the PJ internally.
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In addition to this, he indicated that his visit to Santiago del Estero is due to the fact that the province is “a model of political construction” that “perhaps” he tried in 2007 during his first candidacy by “trying that the two main democratic parties can build something different”. “It didn’t turn out for us, it turned out badly, but here in Santiago del Estero it turned out well, because from 2004 to 2022 Santiago del Estero was the province that grew the most,” he stressed.
“It went well because at the same time as the economy grew, it was the province that lowered the index of unsatisfied basic needs the most. And it also went well because in the 2022 census it was reported that this province is the index with the highest homeownership index,” he added. In that context, he threw a dart at the ruling party: “We Peronists like private property, but that of everyone. Not only of the few who have money and who are cared for by this Government.” “We want an Argentina in which all Argentines can aspire to their own roof,” he noted.
After taking a tour of Argentine economic history and the actions of Peronism, until reaching the moment when Néstor Kirchner assumed the presidency in 2003, he referred to his judicial situation, after Casación left the conviction against him for corruption firm. in the Roads case, ensuring that it is the “return” of the decisions he made when he was in power, such as ”not lowering his pants before the Vulture Funds” and the defense of “the flags of Memory, Truth and Justice for punish the atrocities of the military dictatorship”.
“They will never forgive me and the convictions and banning are the return of those decisions. I’m not complaining. I never dreamed as a political activist that I was going to be president of the Republic and that I was also going to be part of a project that got the country
In his speech, he also criticized the policies of the National Executive, among which he mentioned retirements: “The other day Milei criticized the recovery of the AFJP that allowed retirees to have the best retirement in Latin America.” Along those lines, he recalled that, ”at the same time, it allowed us to help companies, like General Motors.” “I remember that they were going to fire people at the Santa Fe plant and they were going to suspend a project, and we lent them 70 million from the FGS. Are they going to tell me that we are anti-capitalist? Don’t screw with me anymore,” he questioned.
In addition to this, he mentioned that “when the country fell in 2001, everything was privatized: pensions, YPF, Airlines, gas, electricity, and there were no state companies.” “However, the country fell and left us with 39 dead in the Plaza de Mayo and a few bonuses that the Otarios who came later had to pay. Peronism always comes to heal the economic disasters that they do to us in the name of the free trade and free enterprise,” he said.
In that sense, he indicated that currently “they come to sell us that the State is of no use and then they go and meet people who have been able to build what they have from the State.” In this regard, he mentioned the case of Elon Musk, who is close to the president: “Look, Elon Musk, in addition to having 100% protection of his electric cars against the Chinese, his company Tesla started with a loan of 465 million dollars. “The State, in the United States, was the one that promoted the Internet, GPS and touch screens.”
Under that line, he directly criticized Milei and paraphrased his son Máximo, who yesterday had described the president as a koala for his relationship with Donald Trump. “Let’s see if anyone believes that the elected president of the United States looks like this one. Please. This appears like a koala riding there, up there, clownish, humiliating. We Argentines do not deserve these humiliations, we deserve better things,” he said.
Before the event in Quimsa, the former president had visited the headquarters of the Justicialist Party in Santiago del Estero. Upon arriving in the province, she was received by the national senator José Emilio Neder, belonging to the National and Popular Front, and his Buenos Aires counterpart Eduardo “Wado” de Pedro, as well as other Santiago political actors.
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2024-11-18 00:05:00
How might Kirchner’s framing of Santiago del Estero’s success influence public perception of her party’s policies?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Political Expert on Cristina Kirchner’s Recent Event in Santiago del Estero
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome to our discussion today. We’re focusing on Cristina Kirchner’s recent appearance at the Militancy Day event in Santiago del Estero, where she emphasized gratitude and a vision for the future of Argentina. I’m joined by Dr. Ana Morales, a political analyst and expert on Argentine politics. Ana, thank you for being here.
Dr. Ana Morales (AM): Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here and discuss this significant event.
TNE: Cristina Kirchner has returned to the political stage after being convicted in the Roads case. How do you interpret her choice to address the public in Santiago del Estero, particularly at this time?
AM: It’s very strategic. Santiago del Estero has been a stronghold for the Justicialista Party (PJ) and an example of political loyalty. By choosing this venue, Kirchner is reaffirming her connection to the grassroots support that has historically characterized her party. It’s also a message of resilience, showing that despite legal challenges, she remains a central figure in Argentine politics.
TNE: During her speech, she highlighted gratitude towards the province, stating, ”Santiago del Estero always accompanied more than anyone.” What does this say about her political strategy moving forward?
AM: Gratitude is a powerful tool in politics. Kirchner’s acknowledgment of Santiago del Estero reinforces a narrative of loyalty and reciprocity. By publicly appreciating their support, she is solidifying her base and rallying her supporters as she faces national political shifts. This strategy also softens the blow of her conviction, framing it as an attack against her commitment to the people.
TNE: She mentioned that Santiago del Estero is a model of political construction that has seen economic growth and lower rates of unsatisfied basic needs. How significant is this framing in the context of her critique of the current government?
AM: It’s highly significant. By presenting Santiago del Estero as a success story, she juxtaposes Peronist achievements against the current government’s policies. This framing not only bolsters her case for the efficacy of her party but also sets a comparative standard—essentially saying, “Look at what we did right, and look at the current failures.” It’s an effective rhetorical strategy to mobilize her supporters and critique the ruling administration led by Milei.
TNE: Kirchner also reflected on her judicial situation, aligning it with her political decisions during her presidency. Many perceive this as an act of defiance. What implications does this hold for her future political career?
AM: Kirchner’s remarks suggest she’s embracing her legal battles as a badge of honor, positioning herself as a martyr for her political ideals. This approach may resonate with her base and portray her as a fighter against injustice. However, this narrative also risks alienating moderate voters who may see the ongoing legal issues as problematic. Her adeptness at navigating these challenges will be crucial for her political survival.
TNE: Lastly, she made pointed critiques about proposals from the current government, particularly regarding pensions. How do you see this impacting public opinion?
AM: Critiquing pension policies taps into a fundamental concern for many Argentinians, particularly retirees. By defending the historical values of Peronism—like social welfare and economic support—she aims to position herself as the protector of the vulnerable. If she can effectively communicate this message, it could sway public opinion in her favor, especially among those worried about their financial security under the current administration.
TNE: Thank you, Ana. It’s clear that Kirchner’s return is laden with both challenges and opportunities. It will be fascinating to see how this unfolds in the coming months.
AM: Absolutely! The dynamics of Argentine politics are always evolving, and Kirchner is a key player in shaping that narrative. Thank you for having me!
TNE: Thank you for your insights! We’ll continue to monitor this situation closely.