Demonstrations in support of Argentina’s Vice President Cristina Kirchner and to reject the lawsuit filed against her were held in various cities of the country this Thursday (25), one of which was in front of the Vice President’s house in Buenos Aires. Kirchner, along with 12 others, was charged with illegal association and felony mismanagement in a case involving alleged corruption in public works contracts during his term as president from 2007-2015.
Just after 9 p.m. local time, amid social unrest and “Cristina Presidenta” chants, Kirchner got out of the car, which brought him from the Senate to greet the crowd until he entered his building, the elegant Recoleta. Neighborhood in Buenos Aires.
According to local media, other mobilizations with strong participation took place in major cities of Argentina such as Córdoba (centre), Santa Fe and Rosário (centre-east). In addition, various actions are being prepared for the coming weekend in Buenos Aires and other cities with the slogan “Cristina is defended by the people”.
National anthem
He expressed “solidarity” with the vice-president of the Justice Party (PJ, Peronist) and urged the militants to “remain united, organised, mobilized and constantly alert”. PJ, a member of the Frente de Todos governing coalition (centre-left Peronism), held a plenary meeting for September 3, 69, to set a date for a national march to condemn a political persecution of the former president.
The vigils at the door of the building where he lives have continued every night since Monday (22), when the prosecution asked the vice-president to be imprisoned for 12 years and removed from political office for life. The next day, after the court dismissed the possibility of expanding his defense, Kirchner counterattacked with a powerful speech from the Senate cabinet.
Image: LUIS ROBAYO/AFP
“This is not a judgment against me, it is a judgment against Peronism, against national and popular governments,” he said. “The 12 years (imprisonment) has been the best 12 years of government Argentina has had in recent years, so they want 12 years. So they’re going to stigmatize and condemn me. Same thing,” Kirchner said.
Decision by the end of the year
The process began in 2019 and judges are expected to make a decision before the end of the year. The vice president, who also chairs the Senate, enjoys parliamentary immunity, which protects him from both arrest and political disqualification. A sentence against Kirchner can only come into effect if it is upheld by the Supreme Court or if the MP loses his immunity.
Amid intense political polarization, an arrest and disqualification request submitted by the Attorney General’s Office Monday has fueled Kirchner supporters’ criticism of the court and demands to demonstrate in defense of the vice president. He was acquitted in several cases of crimes alleged to have occurred when he was president, but still faces five prosecutions.
On Wednesday 24th, the presidents of Argentina, Alberto Fernández, Bolivia, Luis Arce, Colombia, Gustavo Petro and Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, all leftists, issued a joint statement in support of the vice president. president of argentina. Condemning the attempt to remove him from “public, political and electoral life”, the presidents said, “We express our absolute rejection of the unjust judicial persecution of the current vice president, Cristina Kirchner.” Argentine President Gabriela Cerruti through the door.
With information from AFP
source: Noticias
