MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Mrs. K admits some economic “gradual corrections” needed

“Don't expect any shock policies or tremors. Argentine society has gone through too many sufferings and tensions”

Presidential candidate Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner admitted to the German press that some of Argentina's economic, social and institutional issues “must be corrected”, and in the event she leads the next government, “changes will be gradual”.

"I'm well aware that some situations must change, must be corrected. I'm talking of economic, institutional and social issues, but whatever the changes I propose they will be gradual", underlined the Argentine First Lady who this Sunday arrived in Germany for a three visit which includes meeting with Prime Minister Angela Merkel and addressing leading representatives from the business and financial communities. Cristina Kirchner also pointed out that "transformations" in Argentina should be the result of "agreements" between the diverse sectors of society. "Don't expect any shock policies or tremors. Argentine society has gone through too many sufferings and tensions". "Argentina is doing far better. Whoever does not accept this is acting foolishly", she insisted. Mrs. Kirchner who is comfortably leading opinion polls and vote intention for the October 28 presidential election gave some hints about her economic policies if she finally succeeds her husband president Nestor Kirchner on December 10: strong budget surplus, government expenditure cuts and a review of the current subsidies policies. She was also receptive to the insistent claim from corporations that are demanding that public utilities rates be updated. "We've been listening to demands regarding public utilities rates for the last four years. So have we about fears those corporations might abandon Argentina. The fact is nobody left. Rates are being gradually updated, and this will be the policy if I'm voted president", said Cristina. The First Lady also talked about a larger role for government regarding energy resources and an agreement with the Club of Paris for the restructuring of Argentina's debt with that organization. "The government must orient policies and intervene in those areas where private initiative does not reach or is not willing to do so. But we're not going back to government managed corporations. We know what can happen", she said. Mrs Kirchner added she does not fear the opposition, but rather respects it, and underlined a defeat in the coming October election is not included in her agenda. Finally she talked about the chairman of the powerful Argentine Trade Unions Confederation, CGT Hugo Moyano who recently questioned the merits of presidential candidate Cristina Kirchner after she announced her wish to see a renewal in the trade unions movement leadership. "If I have to sit to discuss with Moyano, I will do so. And if it's not Moyano, it will be who ever must be", she added. Besides holding talks with Ms Merkel, on Monday Mrs. Kirchner will be meeting bankers and businessmen from the influential German Confederation of Industry and Commerce Chambers and on Tuesday she is scheduled to meet Economy minister Michael Glos. According to German sources the presidential candidate will be praised for the robust recovery of Argentina's economy, but will also have to address some thorny issues such as the sovereign debt reduction unilaterally imposed on creditors, inflation, legal protection for investors, manipulation of statistics and international relations. On Wednesday Mrs. Kirchner flies to Vienna where she will be received by Austrian president Heinz Fischer.