MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Urgent: New leadership requested

An overwhelming majority of Argentines, 82%, demand that in the next elections scheduled for October 2003, all elected posts, from President to local Councillors, be renewed. Another significant 70% believe the current Argentine crisis is political, according to the latest Gallup poll.

The poll published by Buenos Aires daily La Nación this week, resumes the mood of the country where the chanting in daily protests is quiet clear, "we want them all to leave, not one of the current political leadership must remain".

Argentina has also experienced recurrent incidents of legislators, Ministers, Councillors and politicians in general been insulted, chased and attacked when identified in the streets, restaurants, cafes and airports.

Actually, 58% of the 1,256 interviewed for the Gallup poll between May 10 and May 15 in 27 different locations, is convinced that only a "total change and renewal" of the political leadership will help Argentina out the crisis.

Political reform is also a big demand, and three of the most irritating issues are, "an end to all political privileges", 64%; "limit the number of political posts" 49%; and "transparency in political finances", 30%.

Last Sunday another Gallup poll confirmed the plummeting of the current President Duhalde administration standing: in just a month the percentage of those interviewed demanding a reduction of his mandate jumped from 35% to 46%.