MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentine minister forecasts solid victory in October election; polls say the contrary

De Vido’s enthusiasm seems to ignore the growing number of ‘disillusioned’ with Cristina Fernandez

Argentina’s Federal Planning minister Julio de Vido called on Buenos Aires province mayors to defend the Cristina Fernandez government model and predicted a solid victory in the mid term legislative elections of next October.

“It is our president's conviction and our determination to lead this model, with the support of Argentine people, that will make this model, in permanent change, the basis of a solid victory in October elections,” De Vido said while leading a rally at the Government House.

He pledged to “keep on working beyond the plans of monopoly holdings which attack our most successful policies” and emphasized that “no monopoly or any of their staff will make us back walk not even one step in this transformation project”.

De Vido went on to say that what is needed in “an Argentina for all such as proposed by President Cristina” and demanded that the mayors support the government. During the meeting De Vido signed 114 public works and infrastructure agreements with 42 neighbourhoods in metropolitan Buenos Aires worth approximately 80 million dollars.

As to the coming mid term election de Vido said the president in coming days will sign the decree calling for party primaries on 11 August and elections on October 27. Candidates can register until 21 June.

But despite the enthusiasm of one of the closest and long lasting ministers of the Kirchner administrations, public opinion polls indicate a majority of ‘disillusioned’ among those who voted for Cristina Fernandez two years ago when she obtained a record 54%.

A poll from Management & Fit showed that 37.8% of those who supported the Argentine president last time, will not be voting for her or her candidates in the coming round. To this must be added that 38.37% of those who voted for her in 2011 disapprove of her performance and joined the growing club of ‘disillusioned”.

The pollster contracted by opposition daily Clarin said that 80% of the 2.000 interviews were aware of legislative elections this year. Opinions are divided: 40.1% believe the Argentine government will not be victorious next October; 35.4% on the contrary say it will be the winner while 24.5% abstained from answering.

As to the wishes of the electorate: 61.7% said it hopes President Cristina Fernandez does not have a good voting in October, and 22.9% support her, with 15.4% preferring not to reply.

Finally 59.6% of interviews disapprove of Cristina Fernandez performance as head of government and 29.3% support her, says Management & Fit.