Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner denied withdrawing from political life in Argentina. She argued there was a persistent ad hoc influence over public life, speaking during a public gathering near Buenos Aires. The remarks came three weeks after a federal court sentenced a former official to six years for public works management during the 2007-2015 administrations. Fernandez de Kirchner assured her supporters that the ruling party remains engaged in a broader democratic project and rejected the idea that a hidden power structure controls national life. The claim echoed her earlier comments on the same day the sentence was announced, and she stressed the need to defend democracy against any form of interference that could undercut the will of the people while condemning violence used to shape political outcomes.
The leader of the opposition and a frequent target of violent threats re-emerged amid a fresh confrontation between the national government and the City of Buenos Aires, led by a right-leaning faction. The city is under the leadership of a mayor who is a prominent figure in the anti-government camp and a key reference as the country heads toward October elections. The mayor publicly welcomed the court’s decisions against the vice president, suggesting that the judicial outcome reflected an immunity that had been lost. The vice president described the process as a tightly timed political maneuver intended to limit her influence and position within the ruling coalition.
In separate remarks, Fernández de Kirchner linked a three-year-long legal contest to a broader argument about cultural and political limits. She recalled historical restrictions on expressions associated with the Peronist era when the movement faced suppression after a coup in 1956. On the anniversary of the 1976 coup, the vice president invited supporters to join a public event with the rallying cry of crafting a future for Argentina where democracy prevails without organized crime. She argued that after the return of democratic governance four decades ago, millions of Argentines who endured dictatorship or who continue to believe in democracy deserve justice and a stable political system that honors their sacrifice.
Her statement also responded to critics who labeled her stance as backward-looking and argued that her political proposals held little promise for Argentines today. Patricia Bullrich, another high-profile right-wing candidate, criticized the vice president for dwelling in the past and claimed her approach offers nothing new for the country’s future.
Institutional conflict
During her address, the vice president challenged a Supreme Court ruling that directed President Alberto Fernandez to increase federal funding to the City of Buenos Aires from 2.32 percent to 2.95 percent of the national budget. She contended the court overlooked a congressional law that approved the shift in funds between the national government and the capital. She recalled a decree issued under the Mauricio Macri administration that favored Buenos Aires with more funds than what its status as the wealthiest city might justify. The vice president proposed another decree to adjust the distribution, but the Supreme Court declined to endorse it. The result, she argued, highlighted a drift from the rule of law and its impact on citizens’ daily lives.
Disturbing selection horizon
Fernandez de Kirchner’s latest public intervention does not appear poised to alter Peronism’s electoral outlook for 2023. The ruling party has yet to settle on a formal candidate, while the economic climate continues to weigh on public opinion. Inflation remains a central concern, and the ongoing economic adjustment is felt most acutely by families in the lower and middle-income brackets. The political discourse now considers who can unite diverse segments of the alliance and appeal to voters seeking stability amid uncertain prices.
Recent polling suggests a fragmented field at the moment. A far-right candidate, Javier Milei, has established a technical tie with core Peronist supporters, potentially shaping a runoff scenario. Analysts note that the dynamics of support, campaign momentum, and policy proposals will determine whether Milei can consolidate a path to the runoff or whether the Peronist coalition can regain footing in the race for government.