With a message of unity, former Argentine President Cristina Fernández and running mate Alberto Fernández kicked off their election campaign almost a week after the ex-leader stunned the country by saying she was running for vice president.
Many thought Cristina Fernández, who governed Argentina from 2007 to 2015, would head any presidential ticket and the news that she would play the undercard to her and her late husband's one-time Cabinet chief came as a surprise. The ex-president was seen as the main challenger to President Mauricio Macri.
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With a message of unity, former Argentine President Cristina Fernández and running mate Alberto Fernández kicked off their election campaign almost a week after the ex-leader stunned the country by saying she was running for vice president.
Fernández's decision to only run as vice president has put a more moderate challenger at the helm of the Unidad Ciudadana ticket.
Former President Cristina Fernandez, who is running as a presidential candidate running mate, speaks during a campaign rally, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, May 25, 2019. After her surprise announcement last week that she will run for vice president in October’s general elections, Cristina Fernandez along with her running mate presidential candidate contender Alberto Fernandez, kicked off their campaign with a political rally on the outskirts of Buenos Aires on Saturday. (AP PhotoGustavo Garello)
Supporters of presidential candidate Alberto Fernandez and his running-mate, former President Cristina Fernandez, no relation, attend a campaign rally in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, May 25, 2019. After her surprise announcement last week that she will run for vice president in October’s general elections, Cristina Fernandez along with her running mate presidential candidate contender Alberto Fernandez, kicked off their campaign with a political rally on the outskirts of Buenos Aires on Saturday. (AP PhotoGustavo Garello)
A young supporter of former President Cristina Fernandez, holds a copy of her book, "Sincerely" during a campaign rally at Nestor Kirchner Park in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, May 25, 2019. After her surprise announcement last week that she will run for vice president in October’s general elections, Cristina Fernandez along with her running mate presidential candidate contender Alberto Fernandez, kicked off their campaign with a political rally on the outskirts of Buenos Aires on Saturday. (AP PhotoGustavo Garello)
A man doused in silver body paint holds a sign with a message that reads in Spanish: "Five thousand jobs," in reference to the informal job market, attends the kick-off campaign rally of presidential candidate Alberto Fernandez and his running mate, former President Cristina Fernandez, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, May 25, 2019. (AP PhotoGustavo Garello)
"I felt obliged to do this," Cristina Fernández said to thousands of supporters ia a poor area in western Buenos Aires.
Presidential candidate Alberto Fernandez, left, and his running-mate, former President Cristina Fernandez, no relation, greet supporters during their kick-off campaign rally in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, May 25, 2019. Argentina will hold general presidential elections on Oct 27. (AP PhotoGustavo Garello)
Fernández's decision to only run as vice president has put a more moderate challenger at the helm of the Unidad Ciudadana ticket.
Argentine presidential candidate Alberto Fernandez acknowledges the audience during a campaign rally, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, May 25, 2019. After her surprise announcement last week that she will run for vice president in October’s general elections, former President Cristina Fernandez along with her running mate presidential candidate contender Alberto Fernandez, kicked off their campaign with a political rally on the outskirts of Buenos Aires on Saturday. (AP PhotoGustavo Garello)
Former President Cristina Fernandez, who is running as a presidential candidate running mate, speaks during a campaign rally, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, May 25, 2019. After her surprise announcement last week that she will run for vice president in October’s general elections, Cristina Fernandez along with her running mate presidential candidate contender Alberto Fernandez, kicked off their campaign with a political rally on the outskirts of Buenos Aires on Saturday. (AP PhotoGustavo Garello)
Supporters of presidential candidate Alberto Fernandez and his running-mate, former President Cristina Fernandez, no relation, attend a campaign rally in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, May 25, 2019. After her surprise announcement last week that she will run for vice president in October’s general elections, Cristina Fernandez along with her running mate presidential candidate contender Alberto Fernandez, kicked off their campaign with a political rally on the outskirts of Buenos Aires on Saturday. (AP PhotoGustavo Garello)
A young supporter of former President Cristina Fernandez, holds a copy of her book, "Sincerely" during a campaign rally at Nestor Kirchner Park in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, May 25, 2019. After her surprise announcement last week that she will run for vice president in October’s general elections, Cristina Fernandez along with her running mate presidential candidate contender Alberto Fernandez, kicked off their campaign with a political rally on the outskirts of Buenos Aires on Saturday. (AP PhotoGustavo Garello)
A man doused in silver body paint holds a sign with a message that reads in Spanish: "Five thousand jobs," in reference to the informal job market, attends the kick-off campaign rally of presidential candidate Alberto Fernandez and his running mate, former President Cristina Fernandez, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, May 25, 2019. (AP PhotoGustavo Garello)