MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina: CFK popular inspite of inflation

CFK: First 100 days

Supporters claim that economic growth has strengthened, more is being done to combat the energy crisis and to ensure road safety, and Argentina has played a significant role in bringing about an end to the recent border conflict between Colombia and Ecuador.

Speaking to the DyN news agency, supporters and opponents of Mrs. Kirchner, who took over power from her husband on December 10 of last year, summed up their take on the first three months of the president's term. "Since Cristina Fernández took over we've seen inflation get out of control, we've had a face-off with the United States over the suitcase that Antonini Wilson brought to Argentina with 800,000 dollars, and we've seen support for Chávez and the FARC," said Federico Pinedo, caucus leader of the opposition PRO party. "The balance is regrettably negative. Not only are there no solutions at hand for inflation, the INDEC (government statistics bureau) and foreign policy, but these problems are getting worse. We'd like to help the president change these policies," the legislator added. Despite criticism from opposition quarters, Mrs. Kirchner remains invariably popular. In fact her popularity has increased since taking office according to a number of opinion polls published in La Nación newspaper. According to one pollster cited by the paper, the President's popularity has gone up from 60.6 percent when she took office in December to 69.2 percent now. Poliarquia consultancy puts her appeal a lot lower at 54 percent, up from 51 at election time. Continued economic growth is the mainstay of the president's popularity, according to her supporters. "Cristina (Fernández) has come through with all the things that were promised like the strengthening the economic model that has allowed growth to continue," says Teamster boss Hugo Moyano. The labour leader, who also presides the umbrella CGT union, has been instrumental in Mrs Kirchner's economic policy. By being the first to sign a wage deal with the government Moyano prevented a surge in demands for salary hikes, analysts say. In reward the truck drivers got close to a 20 percent wage increase, while inflation is officially around 8 percent. "In union organizations we were able to return to discussing wages in collective bargaining rounds, improving peoples purchasing power," Moyano said. "All of that gives us more peace of mind to resolve conflicts. With all those economic advances and with so many reserves, we should really be looking to reach out and improve those sectors that still haven't received any help," the union boss explained. Similar compliments were echoed by legislators belonging to the governing Victory Front party (FPV). "We're very satisfied with this government first 100 days," said Agustin Rossi, FPV caucus leader. "The government has taken a number of important steps such as the plan for streamlining energy consumption or the Road Safety Plan, which we passed in Congress on Wednesday. The government also played an important role in the recent crisis in Latin America," Rossi said, referring to the conflict which arose after Colombian forces crossed into Ecuador to raid a camp of the FARC guerrilla group. Pollsters indicated that rising inflation and the increase in crime are the main concerns of the electorate and, more importantly, they are issues people feel the government is not doing enough to combat. Buenos Aires Herald