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Argentina’s Kirchner Not as Popular in 2007
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Comparing to late last year, fewer people in Argentina keep a favourable view of their president, according to a poll by Poliarquía Consultores. 49 per cent of respondents have a positive opinion of Néstor Kirchner, down 11 points since December.
Kirchner finished second to former president Carlos Menem in the election held in April 2003. Menem withdrew from the scheduled run-off after voting intention polls suggested an overwhelming victory for Kirchner, candidate of the Front for Victory (FV).
Argentina has held five presidential elections since the demise of an eight-year military dictatorship in 1982. The next presidential election is scheduled for Oct. 28.
On Jul. 2, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, a senator for Buenos Aires and wife of president Kirchner, announced she would run to succeed her husband later this year. The current head of state was eligible for re-election, but decided to back his wife's bid instead.
On Jul. 16, economy minister Felisa Miceli resigned from Kirchner's government after it was revealed that a stack of money—calculated at $31,000 U.S.—was found in her office bathroom. An investigation into the case was announced days later. Miceli said she left to avoid tarnishing the government's image and to "clarify" her situation. She also referred to the investigation into the mysterious incident, saying it caused "an undeserved damage to my honour which undoubtedly affects our government."
Polling Data
Do you have a positive or negative opinion of Néstor Kirchner?
Jul. 2007 | Dec. 2006 | Aug. 2006 | |
Positive | 49% | 60% | 59% |
Average | 32% | 30% | 28% |
Negative | 18% | 8% | 11% |
Source: Poliarquía Consultores
Methodology: Interviews to 800 Argentine adults, conducted from Jul. 2 to Jul. 11, 2007. Margin of error is 3.5 per cent.