In response to the attack on Argentina’s vice president, Cristina Kirchner, marches and demonstrations of support are scheduled to take place in Buenos Aires this Friday (2), starting at 12:00. There will be concentrations of unions, social organizations and an act in the Plaza de Mayo, at 2 pm.
The fact that President Alberto Fernández declared this Friday a national holiday so that the people “can show solidarity” with the vice president has been interpreted by some opposition leaders as an attitude of political opportunism.
“This is not the time for this kind of thing. The attack must be investigated seriously, but the population should be urged to remain calm. This circus does not favor the pacification of the situation”, said opposition senator Carolina Losada.
Patricia Bullrich, leader of PRO, the party of former president Mauricio Macri, reacted along the same lines. “The president is playing with fire,” she said last night on her social media.
Congressman José Luis Espert stated that Fernández was wrong to “cause more anger in society by blaming the press, the opposition and the judiciary for the national chain.”
In yesterday’s broadcast, the Argentine president said that behind the attack is “the hate speech that is dividing Argentines”.
Shortly after the incident, opposing senators had taken a photo with government supporters in Congress to show support for the vice president. After Fernández’s national chain, however, several criticized the government’s attitude.
On the morning of this Friday (2), the surroundings of Cristina Kirchner’s house, in Recoleta, were emptied by the police and surrounded with banners and police lines.
The president and the cabinet of ministers met at the Casa Rosada, seat of the government of Argentina, at 7 am. After the meeting, there will be a joint government statement, reinforcing the call to the streets.
