News Center

Argentina's Kirchners Suffer Setback
Wall Street Journal
June 29, 2009

By MATT MOFFETT

BUENOS AIRES -- President Cristina Kirchner suffered a stunning setback in Argentina's congressional elections, losing absolute majorities in both houses of Congress.

Mrs. Kirchner's husband and predecessor, Nestor Kirchner, lost his own bid for a seat from Buenos Aires province in Sunday's election. He trailed Francisco de Narv ez, having taken 32.2% to Mr. de Narv ez's 34.5% after 91% of the vote was counted.

Ruling party allies have also lost key races in Buenos Aires city and Santa Fe and Cordoba provinces.

Mr. Kirchner conceded defeat early Monday. He says in the coming days, the party will evaluate its mistakes.

The setback may have significant regional implications, suggesting a possible waning in the appeal of the populist governments that have risen over the past decade here and in Venezuela, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Honduras. Honduras's leftist president was toppled in a military coup on Sunday.

Mrs. Kirchner's popularity has declined sharply since she took office in December 2007, because of a weak economy and a bitter dispute between the government and farmers over a grain tax. She has tried to rally support over the past year by nationalizing pension funds and an airline.

Voting is mandatory in Argentina. On Sunday, many election officials donned surgical masks, to avoid infection with swine flu. In the days leading up to the election, the opposition had made accusations of possible electoral fraud, as counterfeit paper ballots appeared in some parts of Buenos Aires province. Argentines don't vote for individual candidates in congressional elections, but rather for party lists. A party's overall proportion of the vote determines how many of the candidates on its list are seated.

Sunday's balloting appeared to come off without major problems. But a pre-electoral analysis by Barclays Capital Research suggested protests are possible after the voting, if irregularities surfaced.

Many politicians hoping to be candidates in Argentina's 2011 presidential election have their futures riding on the Sunday vote. Daniel Scioli, the governor of Buenos Aires province who is the second candidate on Mr. Kirchner's list, could emerge as the presidential standard-bearer for pro-Kirchner forces if the ticket succeeds there. Sen. Carlos Reutemann, a Peronist centrist who is close to farmers, could lead dissident Peronists if he survives a tough battle for re-election in Santa Fe province.

This year's campaign was characterized by Argentine newsmagazine Noticias as "the most shameful election in history" and criticized for the absence of a strong debate on the issues. Mr. de Narv ez alleges that he's been the victim of dirty tricks, including a judicial summons to testify in a case involving a drug trafficker. The election has also featured novelty candidates, such as a prominent actress, a women's boxing star and a roller-skating champion.

As well, there are many candidates who apparently have no intention of actually assuming office. The Kirchners tried to jazz up their list by filling it with prominent political names who are likely to later cede their slot to someone lower on the candidate list.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

Write to Matt Moffett at matthew.moffett@wsj.com

U.S. Government
Takes Action

Click here to view letters by the Administration and Members of Congress on Argentina's debt and economic policies.

The Debt and Europe

Click Here To Read More

ATFA Member Spotlight

National Taxpayer's Union

Open Letter to the U.S. House of Representatives: Protect Taxpayers from Judgment-Evading Nations

Click here to view other ATFA member activity

Join Us
Show your support for ATFA and our work regarding debt default by joining our growing list of supporters.

Tell Your Friends
Do you have friends or colleagues who would be interested in supporting ATFA? Send them an invitation to this site by clicking here.