Binner leaves door open for PRO alliance
Just hours ahead of the official launch of the UNEN-Broad Front coalition this afternoon, MPs Fernando “Pino” Solanas and Hermes Binner clashed over the possibility of setting an alliance with Mauricio Macri’s right-wing PRO party.
“In none of the meetings we have held over the past months, it has being discussed the question of adding the PRO,» Solanas told reporters accusing the Buenos Aires City Mayor of fueling the debate about an alliance scenario in a move to secure votes in the 2015 presidential elections.
According to the senator, the PRO has a “profile” that «differs» from the coalition’s which is in fact “more democratic” and works toward a “profound project.”
“We represent the proposals of center-left (forces) and vindicate honesty and coherence,” the also filmmaker added and praised what he called some “interesting” policies carried out by the Cristina Fernández de Kirchner administration over the past decade.
In that sense, “Pino” considered “the human rights and gender equality policies, the Universal Child Allowance benefit, the foreign policy and the Latin American integration” as “very interesting things this government has done.”
“What he won’t support is the purchase of Chinese trains or airplanes from Brazil, when we were pioneers in an activity that creates thousands of permanent jobs. We want an industrial shock and defend Argentineans’ goods,” the MP affirmed.
In the meantime, head of the Socialist Party Hermes Binner left a door open to an eventual alliance between the UNEN-Broad Front – that brings together 8 political forces -, and Macri’s PRO.
In statements to a radio station this morning, Binner pointed out the position of both forces were currently “different” but did say an agreement in the future with the PRO could be possible facing a second-round-scenario next year, when Argentineans will have to choose a new president after a 12-year Kirchnerite rule.
“We are going through a road with a new profile. It is necessary to walk with all the forces that have come to an agreement now. That does not mean that in the future there could be other progressive forces wanting to join us,” Binner affirmed.
Today’s clash follows a similar spar by other voices of the UNEN and the Broad Front coalition. Radical Party Julio Cobos yesterday defended the alliance possibility which has been openly rejected by Front’s Margarita Stolbizer and Ricardo Alfonsín of the Radical Party.
buenosairesherald.com