Judge Ariel Lijo approved an application by Bandera Vecinal to become a registered political party. This party is led by Alejandro Carlos Biondini, known for his Nazi sympathies.
The nationalist organisation applied before Judge Lijo — who has been under the spotlight as he is in charge of the case against Vice-President Amado Boudou — after it signed up the required 4,000 members. Bandera Vecinal defines itself as neither a left or right wing party, however Biondini’s former party, Nuevo Triunfo, was banned by a Supreme Court ruling in 2009 which considered its symbols and ideas a supporting Nazism and anti-antisemitism.
Biondini’s son, Alejandro César, denied the allegations, saying that Bandera Nacional, which he defines as a “nationalist and socialist party”, is profoundly democratic. “When you talk about family values, nationalism, migration, they accuse you of being a fascist, an ultra right-winger. We don’t identify with ‘Nazi’ politics. This is Argentina and we are proud of our people,” he said. The party expects to take part in next year’s presidential election.
Jewish organisation DAIA criticised the judge’s decision. On a statement, they “condemned” that Bandera Vecinal has been given legal status when its leader “has publicly and repeatedly supported the figure of Adolf Hitler and Nazism. DAIA reiterates its position to not legitimise as a political party to those who justify hatred, encouraging violence against the Jewish community and others in our country.”
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