Cable: "First lady launches candidacy for president"

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 001414 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/20/2017 TAGS: PGOV PRELAR ECON

SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: FIRST LADY LAUNCHES CANDIDACY FOR PRESIDENT REF: BUENOS AIRES 01286 Classified By: Ambassador E. Anthony Wayne for Reasons 1.4(b) and (d).

1 (SBU) SUMMARY: First Lady and Senator Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner officially launched her candidacy for president of Argentina at a ceremony in her home town on July
19 Fernandez's speech outlined three "pillars" that have served as the foundations of her husband President Nestor Kirchner's mandate and will serve as the basis for her term in office: reconstruction of the state, continuing with the current economic model, and changing Argentine culture. She highlighted how her husband brought Argentina out of the economic crisis of 2001 and how she believes that by following the same priorities and policies she can help the country continue to move forward. The entire cabinet of ministers attended the ceremony, as well as many governors, labor union leaders, and business leaders friendly to the Kirchners. This was the first indication of what a Fernandez presidency might bring in Argentina, and it suggests a continuing commitment to the current economic policy and to concentration of power in the executive branch. Argentine press coverage of the speech was mostly positive. Fernandez's claims of respect for the constitution's separation of power seems to contradict the actual record of her husband's presidency and her own political career. She gave no indication of openness to forging a broader political consensus. Nevertheless, barring a catastrophic government scandal or significant economic troubles, Fernandez is expected to win easily in October over a diffuse opposition. END SUMMARY. -----

-------------- The Road to Success -------------------
2 (...)(U) First Lady and Senator Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner officially launched her candidacy for president of Argentina at a ceremony in her home town of La Plata in Buenos Aires province on July 19. She is running as candidate for the Front for Victory (FPV), a party her husband President Kirchner founded to offer a Peronist alternative to the Justicialist Party. After a short video reviewing her life and political career (in which both Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Senator Hilary Clinton were featured), Fernandez took the stage and presented a 45 minute speech on how she believes Argentina should continue on its current path. The scenario was distinct from traditional Peronist party political acts, completely lacking party regalia, flags, and iconic images of Juan and/or Evita Peron--perhaps because Fernandez is not running as a Peronist candidate. (...)

------------------- Praise for Kirchner ------------------

7 (SBU) Fernandez closed her speech with an homage to her husband President Nestor Kirchner's accomplishments as president and as a man. She praised him for "betting" on a different Argentina, one that was better than it had been in the past. She said that together they are betting on life, on a social contract to improve the lives of Argentine citizens. She thanked Kirchner for being the rare kind of person who would not seek reelection despite approval ratings over 70 percent and intended votes of over 50 percent. She said to Kirchner, "you have authority not because you get angry, but because of all that you have done and the way in which you have done it." She closed with a humorous: "the Argentines are going to miss you, I just hope they don't miss you too much." ----------------------- Violent Clashes Outside -----------------------
8 (SBU) Just outside of the La Plata theater where Fernandez launched her campaign, supporters clashed over who could stand in certain spots, their support for mayoral candidates in the province of Buenos Aires, and other issues. "Militants of the Argentine Malvinas" (a social group) ended up in a violent brawl with militants from La Plata over who had arrived first at a supposed strategic spot downtown where both groups wished to display their flags. Supporters of congressmen Osvaldo Mercuri (Justicialist party, PJ) and Fernando Navarro (Victory Front, FPV), who both wish to succeed Lomas de Zamorra Mayor Jorge Rossi, engaged in a fist fight. Violent leftist protest group Quebracho is credited with violent incidents in the train station, where they were protesting for the release of members jailed earlier for violence. -------------- Press Coverage -------------


9 (SBU) The initial Argentine press coverage of Fernandez's campaign launch was mostly positive. The speech was broadcast live on all of the main direct-access news channels and was a significant story in all of the major newspapers. According to one embassy press contact, Cabinet Chief Alberto Fernandez had contacted media giant Clarin CEO Hector Magnetto to negotiate positive coverage of the First Lady's speech. Clarin is the largest newspaper in Argentina and has rocky relations with the government, focusing much of attention recently on government corruption scandals. The same source indicated that the administration was hoping to have full, front-page coverage of the First Lady's launch, but the death of beloved Argentine writer and humorist Roberto Fontanarrosa received more front-page billing than Fernandez's speech. One Brazilian press outlet described Fernandez's candidacy as "more of the same, but with botox."

(...)

13 - (C) There were very few indications of how Fernandez might differ from her husband as president, except for a brief mention of strategic planning for the mid- to long-term and support for a social dialogue. However, she is an experienced politician in her own right and has developed her own style during her terms as Senator and Congresswoman. She was more well known than her husband in 2003 when he ran for president against former President Carlos Menem. She is known for an aggressive demeanor and for following her own convictions. Her confident composure during the speech signals that, while substantive changes from her husband's presidency are not expected, the style of Fernandez's presidency may be very different. Barring a catastrophic government scandal or significant economic troubles, most pollsters expect Fernandez to win easily in October over a diffuse opposition. END COMMENT. WAYNE