Kirchner book launch seen as prelude to election run

BUENOS AIRES: Argentina’s former president Cristina Kirchner released a book that analysts say is the first step toward the 66-year- old running for the country’s top job once again.

Kirchner’s book ‘ Sincerely’ was eagerly expected in the hope it would reveal whether or not she’s planning another bid for the presidency in October’s elections.

And while she herself gave nothing away within its pages, experts have no doubt as to its significance.

“Cristina Kirchner’s book is one step in her election campaign,” political scientist Rosendo Fraga told AFP, adding that some phrases are meant to ‘seduce the electorate.’ In the book, Kirchner writes: “Today the country is in complete political, economic, social and cultural regression and I hope that, by reading these pages, we can think and discuss without hate, without lies and without grievances.”

Sociologist Ricardo Rouvier told AFP: “I think the book reaffirms what we all believe: that in the end she will be a presidential candidate. If she wasn’t, I’d be very surprised.”

She doesn’t miss the chance to aim a broadside at her successor and incumbent President Mauricio Macri, whose popularity has been hit by Argentina’s economic woes.

Inflation has reached more than 55 per cent over the last 12 months, severely denting the spending power of the population, while in March alone prices rose by 4.7 per cent.

The peso lost more than 50 per cent of its value against the dollar last year and Macri was forced to go to the International Monetary Fund, where he secured a US$ 56 billion loan.