Side by side with her economy minister and running mate Amado Boudou, President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner delivered a televised speech today in a much anticipated moment after her overwhelming triumph in yesterday electoral primaries.
The speech was delivered from the Government House South room packed with Kirchnerite top officials and the press. During her speech she celebrated the massive attendance of Argentines on the primaries and the implementation of a system that, according to her, “expanded democracy.”
“It was a memorable day. We kicked off an unprecedented system in Argentinean history. We have leaped quality wise,” she highlighted. The chief of state rejoiced on the fact that Argentines massively cast their ballots yesterday.
“Almost 78% of registered voters reached electoral booths,” she said.
“At Mendoza Province, as the province Governor told me himself, over 86% cast their ballots. This is very relevant and healthy,” CFK commemorated as she thanked popular engagement on primaries and praised public officials for carrying on the election.
CFK also stressed the visual changes on the ballots, free publicity space given to contenders, equal opportunity access of all candidates to the race and the strengthening of political parties.
Tacking the opposing press, frequently demising her achievements as she observed, the President remarked Argentine’s liberty of choice. “People acted in absolute freedom. Nobody owns the votes. No one owns the voters will. People voted with joy. I felt a joyful environment on the primaries.” CFK also observed she tends to learn more from defeats than from triumphs.
Distancing herself from the electoral concerns of the primaries, President called the Congress to pass the bill of Land Sovereignty in Argentina. “I ask the political powers to rush the land ownership bill in Argentina. When I visited rural areas several federations asked for the bill. They warned me of the dangers of the lack of sovereignty. Land represents a vital and strategic resource for us.”
CFK also emphasized UNASUR’s importance to face the world’s recession. She also said the issue will be tacked again at an August 24th meeting in Buenos Aires.
Upon taking questions from journalists, the President refused to talk of a third term, new cabinet composition and denied campaigning. “I don t campaign, I work. I did one political act I guess this entire time. I am not campaigning. I press on doing my job as a President,” she remarked.
Source: buenosairesherald.com