Alan B. Cibils | February 6, 2008
Americas Program, Center for International Policy (CIP)
Argentina’s stunning recovery from the economic crisis of 2001 dealt a blow to orthodox economic theories imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other international institutions. Former president Néstor Kirchner and now his wife Cristina Fernández de Kirchner have consolidated political power on the basis of that success. But some serious problems loom on the horizon. This article argues that as Cristina takes over the nation, the lack of a real national development plan and the government’s growing disregard for democratic institutions hamper efforts to address challenges like rising inflation and a serious energy shortage.
On Dec. 10, 2007 Néstor Kirchner handed over the presidential baton to his wife, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner in what was the first husband-wife handover in Argentine history. Cristina was appointed presidential candidate by her husband, with no internal party elections or debate, highlighting the crisis of the Argentine political party system. By passing presidential power between spouses, the Kirchners appear to have found a formula to perpetuate themselves in power indefinitely without the need for a constitutional reform.