MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Kirchners declared solid bank account and 38 properties

Pte. Cristina Fernadez and her husband former Pte. N. Kirchner

Argentina's ruling couple Cristina and Nestor Kirchner assets in the first half of the year increased significantly while the Education minister Juan Carlos Tudesco figures as the richest man in the cabinet, according to their income disclosures published over the weekend in the Buenos Aires press.

Bank deposits from President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and her husband (and former president) Nestor Kirchner (2003/2007) reached 13.5 million Argentine pesos which is equivalent to 4.4 million US dollars, up 187.335 US dollars in the first six months of 2008, according to data made public by Argentina's Anticorruption Office. In her statement Mrs. Kirchner figures with four properties but no vehicle while her husband, Mr. Kirchner declared 3 vehicles and 38 properties. The couple posses homes in Buenos Aires and in the province of Santa Cruz, which Mr. Kirchner ruled as governor from 1991 to 2003. The couple also has a piece of land next to the world renowned Perito Moreno glacier, one of Patagonia's main attractions where a five star hotel is planned. Before getting involved in politics in Santa Cruz the Kirchners worked as lawyers implementing homes repossession for a mortgage company in Rio Gallegos. Minister Tedesco figures as the richest member of the Cristina Fernandez cabinet with assets totaling the equivalent of 450.000 US dollars. Mr. Kirchner's sister, Alicia Kirchner who is Social Development minister is the most modest, 20.500 US dollars. As to the rest of cabinet members, Florencio Randazzo from Interior; Anibal Fernandez, Justice and Economy, Carlos Fernandez disclosed assets in the range of 325.000 US dollars. According to the official statements, former president Nestor Kirchner has seen the value of his assets jump 160% during his four years in office to the moment he handed the presidential sash to her wife Cristina Fernandez. The Buenos Aires press recalls that the Kirchner couple underwent a judicial inquiry on the issue which was finally shelved last May by Federal Judge Canicoba Corral although the prosecutor has appealed the decision. In 2004 another claim of "illicit" enrichment by the couple was also shelved.