Argentina court upholds Kirchner sentence

Argentina's Supreme Court upheld a six-year prison sentence and a lifetime ban from public office for former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. The court's unanimous decision confirmed a 2022 conviction for defrauding the state by awarding inflated public works contracts to a close associate during her presidency from 2007 to 2015. Kirchner, 72, has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the case is a politically motivated attack against her.

This ruling is expected to effectively end Kirchner's political career and has significant implications for Argentina's political landscape, particularly with the midterm elections approaching in October. By removing a prominent figure from the opposition, the decision could benefit President Javier Milei's government. However, it also risks deepening political polarization, as Kirchner maintains substantial support among her followers.

Due to her age, Kirchner may serve her sentence under house arrest and has five business days to report to the court; failure to do so could result in her arrest. The ruling has ignited widespread protests, with supporters viewing it as an act of political persecution. President Milei welcomed the decision, labeling it a "triumph of justice." Meanwhile, the Peronist movement, to which Kirchner belongs, is now seeking to regroup in response to this significant political shift.

This verdict marks the conclusion of a major chapter in Argentina's political history, underscoring the ongoing tensions and divisions within the country as it navigates its future. The outcome of this case is likely to influence the dynamics of the upcoming elections and the broader political discourse in Argentina.