The Argentine government announced this Thursday that it annulled the allocations that Cristina Fernández received in her capacity as former president and widow of former president Néstor Kirchner after the main criminal chamber confirmed a six-year prison sentence against her for corruption.
President Javier Milei’s decision, carried out by the National Social Security Administration, was announced to journalists by presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni, who indicated that it will mean a monthly saving of about 21.8 million pesos (about $21,400).
The lawyers said that the measure is unconstitutional, since the sentence that Fernández received is not final and on the other hand the law does not contemplate the possibility of annulling said assignments alleging that circumstance. They predicted that the measure will be reversed in the judicial courts.
The day before, the highest criminal court ratified the prison sentence and perpetual disqualification from holding public office imposed on Fernández by a federal court in 2022, which found her guilty of fraudulent administration during her mandate (2007-2015).
The ruling does not imply that the former vice president (2019-2023) and head of Peronism loses her freedom or must refrain from aspiring to public office in the coming months, since she will appeal the ruling before the Supreme Court, which may take years to issue. a decision.
Adorni pointed out that the benefit provided by law for former presidents “is granted on an exceptional and extraordinary basis as compensation for honor, merit and good performance in office” and that the sentence that convicted her of fraudulent administration “represents the opposite of honor.” , to merit and good performance.”
“Retirement for former presidents is a privilege that should not exist in Argentina, even more so if the person receiving it is condemned for defrauding from the highest spheres of power millions of Argentines who saw their hopes disappear at the hands of politics,” he stated. the spokesperson.
Adorni, who admitted that Fernández could fight the measure in court, pointed out that the former president will continue to receive a retirement and pension “according to her contributions and not the additional one for privileges” without specifying the amount.
Fernández, 71 years old and widow of Kirchner (2003-2007), maintains that she is the victim of political and judicial persecution. The former president, considered the main political figure of the last two decades, has been proclaimed head of Peronism, the main force of the opposition, and an undisputed reference of Kirchnerism, the center-left current of that political force.
Milei, who came to power in December and is a staunch anti-Kirchnerist, celebrated the court ruling adverse to Fernández.
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