First Lady to President of Argentina

The Casa Rosada

I am nearing the end of my series of stories about our trip to Buenos Aires in October. However, my posts would absolutely not be complete without mentioning what was perhaps the most significant event of our stay: election day. Argentinians headed to the polls to cast their votes for president on the Sunday we were in Buenos Aires. Over 54% of voters cast a vote in support for the incumbent candidate, President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner (“La Señora Presidenta,” Cristina, Cristina Fernandez, or simply “CFK”), wife of the late President Néstor Kirchner and Peronist Justicialist party member.

Throughout our stay in the city, we ran across endless billboards supporting CFK’s run. Her campaign marketing spread a very cohesive and strong message: billboards declared her to represent the fuerza (power) to the people, to Argentina, to the workers, to youth, to women.

Indeed, CFK seems quite powerful. The 58 year old has had quite the political career: she was a lawyer and then elected to the provincial senate. From 1995-2007, she was repeatedly elected as National Deputy as well as Senator all while being First Lady after her husband was elected President in 2003. She then ran for President when her husband’s term was up in 2007 and was subsequently elected with a strong majority. Her husband unexpectedly passed away in October 2010.

Many have said that her popularity blossomed and she really came into her own as political leader after her husband’s death last year. Like with all politicians, particularly those who are members of Argentinian parties that inherit the legacy of Juan and Evita’s Peronist party, feelings are mixed. However, from what I have read her supporters have agreed that she has made good progress with regards to social equity, earnings distribution, increased rights to immigrants and refugees, supported education initiatives, and more.

Buenos Aires skyline

I watched her inauguration speech, which she delivered this past Saturday, and could appreciate much of what she said: she said she wanted to find alternatives to economic troubles that are currently plaguing the world so that Argentina will thrive instead of suffer, continue to improve the educational opportunities to all children, strengthen Argentina’s ties with the rest of Latin America, and better represent the people.

Bus of CFK supporters on Corrientes

I was in our hotel in Buenos Aires about 7 blocks from the Casa Rosada when the election results were announced. She won over 54% of the votes, miles ahead of any other candidate. I instantly heard loud celebrations in the streets. Supporters on foot, in cars and busses, carrying banners with her name and likeness, the flag of Argentina, the image of the ubiquitous icon Evita and the name of the various parties and groups supporting her candidacy flooded the streets. A number of helicopters started hovering over the city to keep an eye on things, but the celebrations seemed generally civil to me.

Many of the citizens of Buenos Aires were walking towards the Casa Rosada. Alex and I couldn’t resist the excitement: we walked out onto the brilliantly lit, exuberant Av. Corrientes, littered with papers that all day had been handed out urging voters to support CFK. We were only brave enough to go 2 blocks from our hotel and stood under the magnificent obelisco on the spectacular intersection (“The Champs Elysées of the Americas”) of Corrientes and 9 de Julio watching a mishmash of CFK’s supporters head further down Corrientes towards the Casa Rosada, Argentina’s “White House”.

(above: video I recorded on Corrientes of random supporters beeping horns and waving flags)

CFK stepped on the balcony to wave to her supporters that night after giving a rousing televised speech thanking her family and her supporters. Alex and I watched this from the safety of our hotel room, impressed by her ability to energize the crowds with strong messages while maintaining a genuine, friendly tone. No colorblocked power suits for Cristina: she was dressed in a tasteful lacy black top, her hair down and with her famous heavy black eye makeup.

Cristina Fernandez Kirchner – Source: Presidency of the Nation of Argentina