Former Argentine president Cristina Kirchner has announced plans to seek the vice presidency in October 2019 electionsBUENOS AIRES - With polls giving her strong support ahead of October elections, former Argentine president Cristina Kirchner made the surprise announcement Saturday that she will seek the vice presidency. The announcement, made in a 12-minute video posted on social media, comes just three days before the leftist politician goes on trial on corruption charges. A series of corruption scandals shadowed Kirchner's 2007-2015 presidency but she has retained a strong base of support, notably among the poorest Argentines. Judge Claudio Bonadio had asked that Kirchner be held in pre-trial detention, but the parliamentary immunity she enjoys as a senator spared her. It does not protect her from prosecution, however, and on Tuesday she faces a trial on charges of diverting public funds.

Source: Bangkok Post May 19, 2019 03:00 UTC