MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Kirchner's October warning and “weak governments”

Argentine president Nestor Kirchner once again called upon the electorate to support the official candidates in the coming October mid term elections warning that “what is at stake is the country” and if not, it will be “most difficult to rule”.

Mr. Kirchner recalled what happened with two previous Argentine presidents (Ricardo Alfonsin and Fernando De la Rua) who lost mid term elections and faced serious governance challenges and were forced to resign.

"Some people are disappointed because I insist that October is a referendum on this administration's performance", said Mr. Kirchner who admitted being elected president with only 22% of the votes in 2003.

The Argentine electorate and its leaders must not be hypocrites, "what is at stake is the country", he underlined and looking back into the recent turbulent Argentine political history said, "President Alfonsin won the 1985 mid term elections and implemented the Austral economic program, but he lost in 1987, and couldn't make it to the end of his mandate in December 1989".

Mr. Kirchner said former president Menem went through a similar process. "Until 1997 he was a winner but in 1997 he lost and we know what happened then. President De la Rúa also suffered the same and we all remember what happened in December 2001".

"When I won I was questioned since I only managed 22% of the vote because there was no second round. I was forecasted to become an entirely weak president, ¿can you imagine what will happen if the people don't support us in October", stressed the Argentine president.

"With what backing, with what fortitude, with what responsibility can I rule Argentina if the country does not ratify its trust in me?".

Argentines must act maturely and responsibly and remember "each time we choose a path, we're signalling the route for governance", and if people "say no, it's very hard to rule, look back into the past".

"Therefore October has become vital, it will be a referendum on this administration's performance, and I have the greatest respect and trust for the Argentine people".

"Pulling the country ahead with only 22% of the vote was a tremendous effort and the people's support now becomes fundamental to consolidate the changes that have been achieved".

Further on he cautioned that "some groups want a weak government, a conditioned government which they can force to accept their sector interests", but when the government is strong "those interests, those lobbies have to go to the end of the queue behind society and the national interest".

Finally Mr. Kirchner attacked opinion making groups that have described him as an "ill mannered" person because of how he relates with the IMF and Brazil.

"We Argentines are not ill mannered, but we have to learn to defend our interests. As far as I'm concerned I will continue discussing my way with the IMF, with Brazil because what matters is that Argentina can move forward".

In next October's election Argentina's Lower House and a third of the Senate will be renewed.