After eight years as President of Argentina and another four as the First Lady, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner bid farewell yesterday to her supporters in a speech in Plaza de Mayo.
Crowds packed the square, chanting “We will return,” as Fernández, a champion of progressive policies, gave her final speech as president before her power was transferred to Mauricio Macri.
Plaza de Mayo was packed with the ex-president’s supporters (photo courtesy of Wado de Pedro on Facebook)
“I can’t talk long because I turn into a pumpkin at midnight,” she joked to an audience that included Bolivian President Evo Morales, who was specially invited.
Earlier, the ex-President gave another speech and unveiled a sculpture of her deceased husband and former President Nestor Kirchner in the Busts Room in Casa Rosada. Kirchner’s sculpture joined busts of other former leaders.
Fernandez’s legacy includes the legalisation of gay marriage in 2010, expanding social programmes, and refusing to pay back the debt claimed by vulture funds.
The transfer of power was rocky with Macri and Fernández butting heads over how it would take place, but Fernández’s speech to the tens of thousands of her supporters in the warm night air was gracious.
“That’s the biggest thing I have given to the Argentine people: empowerment, freedom, rights,” said Fernández. “Thank you for so much happiness, so much joy, so much love, I love you, I always carry you in my heart and know that I will always be close to you.”
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