Authorities react to CFK’s speech

Pro-government and opposition voices yesterday reacted to President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner’s speech on Sunday night at the Democracy and International Human Rights day festival at Plaza de Mayo.

The President indirectly referred to the Clarín Group and its lawsuit against two of the

new Media Law’s articles for perceived unconstitutionality, by claiming that certain “economic interests” seek to hang onto “legal loopholes” to resist the “popular will.”

When asked about Fernández de Kirchner’s statements, Cabinet Chief Juan Manuel Abal Medina was blunt in alleging: “The judicial branch in Argentina has always been subject to tension, and was created to serve powerful corporations.”

Chaco Governor Jorge Capitanich expressed his support, claiming: “This is our democracy, the Constitution and the laws which regulate its exercise have to be respected to the letter,” and believed this argument to justify the universal “application of this (Media) law.” He added that it was “voted by the majority of Congress.”

Lower House Majority Leader Agustín Rossi (Victory Front-Santa Fe) said the President’s demand for an “independent justice” free from corporate influence was “absolutely accurate and fair.” Rossi added that the Victory Front had “done so much to bring prestige back to the Supreme Court” after the “1990s.”

La Pampa Peronist Governor Oscar Jorge was convinced that “the President defends democracy with all her strength” and asserted she has the province’s “total support.”

opposition Criticism

Anti-government CGT umbrella union grouping leader Hugo Moyano, who has confirmed another protest for December 19, affirmed: “They (the government made it seem as if they are the only democratic ones but when we fought for democracy, they were not even here.”

Former Cabinet Chief Alberto Férnandez suggested that the President is “very concerned with the judicial issue” and recommended her to “revise the state’s judicial strategy because there have been important errors” and considered the recourse to a per saltum to have been “absolutely improper.”

In the context of the celebration of democracy, Senator Ernesto Sanz (Radical-Mendoza) criticized the Kirchnerite administration for imposing a “divided democracy with a very partial democratic vision.”

CFK launches nativity scene

President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner yesterday inaugurated an exhibition of Nativity scenes at the Bicentennial Museum, adjacent to Government House.

The President highlighted the “evangelical and social” work done by social leaders and priests in poor areas, and described the main Nativity scene as a message of “peace and love.

The annual exhibition, which is usually unveiled at Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City, will be open to the public until January 6.

Herald with Telam, DyN