Argentine president dominates campaign ahead of primaries
Argentine president dominates campaign ahead of primaries
Aug 8, 12:02 AM EDT
By PETER PRENGAMAN
Associated Press
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -- Cristina Fernandez isn't on Sunday's presidential primary ballots, yet the influence of Argentina's leader is all around it.
The populist president known for fiery rhetoric and withering critiques of political opponents has been dictating the tempo of the campaign, buoyed by rising popularity despite a sluggish economy and a scandal that rocked her administration. Barred from seeking a third consecutive term, she is making clear she will wield her clout through the Oct. 25 election and possibly beyond.
Opposition candidates have gone from criticizing the spending behind Fernandez's social welfare policies, including energy and transportation subsidies and perks for poor, single mothers, to instead talking about modifying the programs or even building on them.
"Previous presidents at this point were lame ducks. Fernandez is not," said Maria Victoria Murillo, a professor of political science at Columbia University and an expert on Argentine politics. "She continues to be very effective."
More:
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/L/LT_ARGENTINA_PRESIDENTIAL_PRIMARIES?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-08-08-00-02-03