(12/16/08) -

Argentines Back Governments Economic Measures

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The majority of people in Argentina approve of the way the government of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner has handled the current economic situation, according to a poll by CEOP. 63 per cent of respondents say the government is effectively tackling the possible impact of the global financial crisis on the country’s economy, while 24.3 per cent disagree.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The majority of people in Argentina approve of the way the government of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner has handled the current economic situation, according to a poll by CEOP. 63 per cent of respondents say the government is effectively tackling the possible impact of the global financial crisis on the country’s economy, while 24.3 per cent disagree.

In addition, more than 70 per cent of respondents agree with the president’s plans to start new infrastructure projects, create a Production Ministry, and cut taxes for companies hiring new employees.

In October 2007, Fernández de Kirchner won the presidential election with 44.9 per cent of the vote as the candidate for the Front for Victory (FV). In December, Mrs. Kirchner succeeded her husband, Néstor Kirchner, as Argentina’s head of state. The outgoing president was praised for fostering an economic recovery after a major crisis in 2002. Fernández de Kirchner has vowed to address poverty and carry on with her husband’s fiscal policies.

In March, the government faced massive protests by farmers across the country following a proposal to introduce a variable tax on soybean exports. The crisis came to an end in July, when Argentinean vice-president Julio Cobos cast a tie-breaking vote in the legislature and effectively killed the tax bill. The biggest crisis faced by the current Kirchner administration prompted a cabinet re-shuffle.

Since last year, defaults on so-called subprime mortgages—credit given to high-risk borrowers—in the United States have caused volatility in domestic and global financial markets and raised concerns that the U.S. economy could fall into a recession. A recession is defined as two consecutive quarters of negative growth. The crisis has affected the global financial and credit systems.

Fernández de Kirchner has introduced several measures to deal with the crisis in recent weeks, including the creation of the Production Ministry, which will seek to help small companies stay afloat and boost trade. On Dec. 4, the president announced yet another incentive, saying, "Let me tell you that we will boost production, investment, employment and consumption by spending [$3.2 billion U.S.] in different projects."

Polling Data

Do you think the government is effectively addressing the possible impact of the global financial crisis on Argentina?

Do you agree or disagree with the following steps taken by the government to address the financial crisis?

Source: Centro de Estudios de la Opinión Pública (CEOP)
Methodology: Interviews to 1,000 Argentine adults, conducted in November 2008. No margin of error was provided.