MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Cristina prepares great rally to celebrate ten years of the Kirchnerite model

Ten years ago when all was hope that came from the cold south in Patagonia

The Argentine government is preparing for a huge political demonstration next Saturday 25 May to be held in the Plaza de Mayo to celebrate 10 years since President Cristina Fernández late husband and predecessor Néstor Kirchner took office. It will also be a test ahead of the October mid-term election.

Under the motto “the won decade” the Argentine government has launched a massive television and radio campaign inviting to the celebration at the emblematic Plaza, next to Government House (Casa Rosada) which on 25 May 2003 witnessed the take off of Nestor Kirchner presidency (2003/2007) (and Kirchnerism), who arrived with only 22% of ballots and was faced with a financially and socially shattered country following the melting of the economy in 2001/02.

A huge scenario with the “won decade” motto has already been mounted in Plaza de Mayo for next Saturday when besides the official speeches it will also include several musical performances accompanied by a light show. Activist groups loyal to the president have predicted it will be the largest demonstration in the history of Kirchnerism with more than 500,000 people.

“On foot, by truck or bus we have to make Plaza de Mayo burst of happiness and joy, happiness of the Argentine people” said Oscar Parrilli, head of the Executive Secretariat and one of President Cristina Fernandez closest political aides.

“We need a great turnout of all Argentines committed to the Kirchnerite model and who don’t want to lose all that has been achieved in this last decade. We need to give President Cristina a great boost so that she can keep transforming Argentina and improving the lives of all Argentines” insisted Parrilli.

The event will also be a test for Cristina Fernandez current standing in the midst of several fronts: inflation, the judicial reform, the foreign currency clamp, a slowing economy and growing evidence of corruption cases involving her former husband and president and his business cronies who still are around, and allegedly prospering.

Next October Argentina will renew half of the Lower House and a third of the Senate. At stake will be the working majority that President Cristina Fernandez currently enjoys and possibly plans for a second consecutive re-election which will demand a constitutional amendment.

Many government supporters are also expected to attend the event in a show of strength for the president for the first time since a series of massive anti-government protests were staged in recent months.

The celebration coincides with the anniversary of the May Revolution in 1810 which was the spring board for Argentina’s declaration of independence in July 1816. As part of the special day’s agenda Cristina Fernandez is expected to attend the official Te Deum at the Lujan Basilica, which is also the saint patron of Argentina.

The fact the president will be attending the religious ceremony in the province of Buenos Aires also indicates an improvement of relations with the Catholic Church since former archbishop Jorge Bergoglio became Pope Francis. Until now relations between Cristina Fernandez and the Catholic Church were rather strained because of repeated calls from the bishops to help the poor and an end to corruption from the political system.

Precisely and because of the national day Pope Francis sent a greeting letter to Cristina Fernández for May 25 Revolution celebrations where he assured to remember all Argentines in his prayers.

“I am pleased to convey to Your Excellency my warm greetings on the occasion of the National Day of this beloved country, along with my warmest congratulations to all Argentines,” said the letter.

Pope Francis added to have the Argentines “present in my prayers, asking for protection of Our Lady of Luján to encourage and sustain efforts in the united path of solidarity and justice.”