Thousands of Argentines demonstrate against the government and its judicial reform

Argentine demonstrators march in Buenos Aires against the government and the reform of the justice system, August 17, 2020. REUTERS / Agustin Marcarian

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Tens of thousands of people demonstrated on Monday August 17 across the country against the government of Peronist President Alberto Fernández, defying the ban on public gatherings due to the pandemic. Main reason for protest, a reform of justice suspected of seeking to clear the former president Cristina Kirchner, now vice-president, prosecuted in several corruption cases.

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With our correspondent in Buenos Aires , Jean-Louis Buchet

Horns, pans, flags: on this warm and sunny winter afternoon, around the Obelisk, which is to Buenos Aires what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris, the Avenue du 9-Juillet is black with people. In the crowd, wearing the required mask like the majority of the protesters, Anita, a 40-year-old makeup artist

“  I feel that democracy is threatened. Power wants to infringe on justice and freedom is in danger. But if the government sees that there are many protesting, we can hope that it will take it into account . "

Justina, a photographer in her thirties, is more precise in her accusations. “  I am against the measures of the government, in particular the reform of justice and the attack on the justice system, which only aim to protect the corruption of the Kirchnerists and Cristina Kirchner. A lot of people voted Alberto Fernández because they thought he would be different but he is showing that he is the same as the Kirchnerists!  "

This third protest against the government was the largest since Fernández took office in December 2019. Clearly, it was the traditionally anti-Peronist middle classes who took to the streets. The danger for the president would be that some of his moderate voters, disappointed because he would protect Cristina Kirchner, move away from him.

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  • Argentina
  • Alberto Fernandez

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