Argentinians protest in Buenos Aires amid a government crisis
Tens of thousands of protesters take to the streets of Buenos Aires to demand economic improvements as the government of President Alberto Fernandez and his vice-president Cristina Kirchner faces a major crisis that threatens their center-left Peronist coalition.
Tens of thousands of people marched in Buenos Aires Thursday, demanding improvements to their economic lot as Argentina battles high inflation, unemployment and growing poverty.
The expression of public anger came as the governing coalition of President Alberto Fernandez was dealt a heavy blow in primaries ahead of November parliamentary elections, with its Senate majority appearing in danger.
Working-class Argentines demanded jobs and increased food subsidies amid an economic crisis, worsened by the coronavirus pandemic, that has left 42 percent of the population of 45 million in poverty.
Over the weekend, the ruling Frente de Todos center-left coalition garnered less than 31 percent of the vote ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for November 14 to renew half the seats in the Chamber of Deputies and a third of those in the Senate.
The alliance has a majority in the Senate, which it is eager to keep, and had been hoping to achieve the same in the lower house.
Sunday's vote was to pick candidates for the November elections, but it is also considered a barometer of people's voting intentions.
