FRAGA “Nine years of Kirchnerism: accomplishments and unresolved matters” (La Nación, AR)

Nine years after Néstor Kirchner was first elected President, Rosendo Fraga, at La Nación, writes a short summaryof the best and the worst moments of this period.

He begins with three important accomplishments. The first one is a political one: during these last nine years the political authority of the President was rebuilt, which is quite a relevant issue if we consider the fact that in the 2001- 2002 crisis there were five different presidents in ten days.

The second accomplishment is the growth of the economy, which was in line with a general growth of the entire region. However, in the Argentinean case the recovery allowed a faster and less painful way out of the crisis. The third point is the reduction of poverty and unemployment –which was also following the general tendency of Latin America. Poverty index in 2002 was of 53%, now it is estimated to be around 22%.

Regarding the unresolved matters Fraga also presents three important issues. In the political area, the division of powers has been weakened and instead there is a strong “hyperpresidentialism”.  In the social area, the inequality level has been seldom reduced, and this can be linked to the low quality of public education. The high rates of violence and criminality are also correlated with the level of inequality.The third point Fraga mentions is the current situation of international relations. The country is still quite isolated and is having problems trying to reinsert into the international arena.

Finally, Fraga distinguishes three different moments in the “Kirchner” era. The first one, between 2003 and 2005, can be called “transversability”. Here, N. Kirchner made an effort to create a new political force, differentiating himself from the classic Peronism.  The second period is between 2005 and 2010, when Kirchner returned to Peronism and its classic allies and focused on governability. The third period, from 2010 to 2012, occurred after his demise. Cristina Kirchner assumed leadership and once again drifted apart from classic Peronism and former allies.

Fraga’s doubt is whether now, that the economic growth is at a stall, Kirchnerism will still be able to get the same political support.