- Title: ARGENTINA: Massive march in Buenos Aires over proposed shake up of justice system
- Date: 19th April 2013
- Summary: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (APRIL 18, 2013) (REUTERS) (NIGHTSHOTS) VARIOUS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WALKING TOWARD OBELISK VARIOUS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE PROTESTING AT OBELISK VARIOUS OF PEOPLE BANGING ON POTS AND PANS WITH FLAGS AND POSTERS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ALBERTO GARRE, PROTESTER, SAYING: "I want there to be justice. I see many things that are being done wrong: they ignore justice, corruption, security, healthcare and education. There are many reasons to be here." VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS ARRIVING AT OBELISK AND BANGING ON POTS AND PANS VARIOUS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE PROTESTING VARIOUS OF PROTESTER GUILLERMO GOMEZ SHOWING STATUE OF SCALES OF JUSTICE OUT OF BALANCE BECAUSE OF MONEY LAUNDERING (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) GUILLERMO GOMEZ, PROTESTER, SAYING: "She needs to review everything: the cabinet that she (President Cristina Fernandez) has. She has a cabinet that looks like it's right out of "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves." Everything must be changed. Many people have to be replaced. If she wants the people to continue believing her, she must replace many of the people she has beside her, if she's as good as she says." BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (APRIL 16, 2013) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF NATIONAL CONGRESS
- Embargoed: 4th May 2013 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Argentina
- Country: Argentina
- Topics: Legal System,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVADXKPMYV36GB8RRVZ1VZF0D11Q
- Story Text: Thousands marched on downtown Buenos Aires on Thursday (April 18) night in a cacophony of noise to protest proposed reforms of the country's judicial system the government says would "democratise" the nation's courts.
Banging pots and pans in a show of anger, protesters descended on the capital's famed obelisk and Plaza de Mayo outside the presidential palace against President Cristina Fernandez's broad judicial reforms proposal which includes public elections to pick members of the Magistrates Council - a powerful body that nominates and disciplines the nation's judges.
The Buenos Aires demonstration formed part of a nationwide anti-government protest that saw an estimated one million Argentine's nationwide turn out in anger over Fernandez's managing of the country.
"I want there to be justice. I see many things that are being done wrong: they ignore justice, corruption, security, healthcare and education. There are many reasons to be here," said protester Alberto Garre.
The major lightning rod at the march was Fernandez's efforts to shake up the country's courts, which opponents argue would allow the president to appoint more judges sympathetic to her agenda. Protesters also criticised a media reform law that analysts say is designed primarily to weaken Grupo Clarin, a media empire that is harshly critical of Fernandez.
With inflation estimated to run at about 25 percent annually, one of the highest in the world, and a deteriorating economy, protesters called for a complete overhaul of Fernandez's government.
"She needs to review everything: the cabinet that she (President Cristina Fernandez) has. She has a cabinet that looks like it's right out of "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves." Everything must be changed. Many people have to be replaced. If she wants the people to continue believing her, she must replace many of the people she has beside her, if she's as good as she says," said protester Guillermo Gomez.
Fernandez's critics argue her moves to shake up the country's judicial system is in response to controversial rulings that have stifled a broadcast reform law that would force media conglomerate Grupo Clarin to sell off lucrative operating license.
Fernandez's term is set to end in 2015. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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