ARGENTINA: Huge anti-government protest in Argentina has its roots in discontent over wide range of issues, including crime, corruption and possible constitutional reform

Record ID: 447176

  • Title: ARGENTINA: Huge anti-government protest in Argentina has its roots in discontent over wide range of issues, including crime, corruption and possible constitutional reform
  • Date: 9th November 2012
  • Summary: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (NOVEMBER 9, 2012) (REUTERS) PEOPLE WALKING IN CITY CENTRE
  • Embargoed: 24th November 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Argentina
  • Country: Argentina
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA6B1MDHWZ8S9SRVDOPMAW2GRO
  • Story Text: Hundreds of thousands of Argentines flooded the streets of the country's biggest cities on Thursday evening (November 8) in a broad protest against President Cristina Fernandez.
    Crime, inflation of roughly 25 percent a year, and a possible bid by government allies to reform the constitution to allow Fernandez to run for a third term are stoking discontent, particularly among middle-class Argentines.
    "First came the insecurity, which is an issue that all of Latin America has in common. Second, the opposition to the [possible] constitutional reform and new consecutive mandate of the president (2015-2019). Third, the inflation, which is an issue that affects most of the population. Fourth, the corruption, and fifth came the term 'arrogance', that for me has to do with a style of implementing power. I go over all of these things and it seems to be that there is a demand that is based much more in politics than in the economy, at a time when the economy, I would say is perhaps neutral. It's an economy that has slowed down, and that hasn't helped the government, but it also isn't a crumbling economy, a collapsing economy. I believe that there has been a political demand and the central issue of this political demand is the opposition to the constitutional reform and possible re-election," said political analyst Rosendo Fraga.
    Protesters in neighbourhoods throughout Buenos Aires banged pots and pans and carried signs with anti-government messages as they made their way to the Casa Rosada, the Argentine seat of government.
    A spokesman for the city's Justice and Security Ministry estimated 700,000 people were rallying in the capital.
    The demonstration, known in Argentina as 8N, for the 8th of November, was planned months in advance and was heavily advertised in social media networks.
    Another issue of contention that brought people to the streets involves what some say is a clamp down on freedom of the press.
    Critics say a government drive to break up the media empire run by Grupo Clarin is an assault on free speech. But supporters of the anti-monopoly law that is being enforced say officials are democratizing the airwaves.
    "A phenomenon has emerged in the social networks, it is a new phenomenon or it's the Argentine chapter of a global phenomenon - independent groups, without political membership or political participation. In my opinion the media has not pushed this, although this doesn't mean that it doesn't benefit from it. There is a conflict between the private media, in particular Grupo Clarin, and the government and this doesn't mean that it [Grupo Clarin] doesn't benefit, because in this conflict anything that can cause problems for the government, benefits Grupo Clarin," said Fraga.
    Under the constitution, President Fernandez cannot run for a third consecutive term in 2015. But, local media report her congressional allies may try to reform the country's charter to change this.
    On Tuesday (November 6) members from the opposition gathered 107 signatures in light of a possible government move to reform the constitution.
    In response to the protests, Fernandez criticized the opposition's lack of unity and inability to provide viable solutions to society's problems.
    "This is a political problem that currently exists in Argentine society, and that is the lack of a political leadership with an alternative model that can be presented to us. But, we cannot be in charge of this, and no one can blame us for not creating an alternative leadership that generates an alternative project. We believe in our model, so those that do not believe in ours should be in charge of generating ideas, with projects and proposals that the rest of the society also wants," said Fernandez.
    Fernandez won 54 percent of votes in October 2011, largely due to an economic boom, job growth and expanded social programs, but her approval ratings have slid since.
    "There is a third that is with the governments and that I think it will continue supporting it even if things get worse. There is a third that is never going to be with the government. So, there are two thirds with very firm positions, but there is another third that fluctuates, with the epicenter in the middle class which is the third that normally decides the elections because it is the one that changes. A third in 2009 voted for the opposition and in 2011 the majority of this third voted for the government, and now is abandoning it. I would say that this third is in some way like a shock absorber between the other two third," said Fraga.
    Fernandez remained adamant about her commitment to do her best to improve conditions in the South American country.
    "This is the only thing that I ask, that you help me to improve things, that you help me to make a better Argentina. I am giving everything that I have, sincerely I don't have anything else, these are the neurons that I have, this is the time I have and I am putting everything on the table as I have done my whole life," said Fernandez.
    The last big anti-government demonstration was on September 13 of this year.
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