A first lady and possible president.

Argentina

Roberto Guareschi

El Universal (Mexico)

Some say Argentina’s current first lady is another Eva Peron, said Argentine journalist Roberto Guareschi in Mexico City’s El Universal. Cristina Kirchner is certainly charismatic and attractive, frequently flashing a wide smile and plenty of leg. But to compare her to Evita is to give her both too much credit and too little. Evita created a cult of personality that galvanized the masses, but had no experience in actual governance. Cristina, by contrast, is “a competent politician in her own right.” She’s a former senator for Santa Cruz and now, after last week’s election, a senator for Buenos Aires. She doesn’t command adoration, but she does command respect. Call her, then, Argentina’s answer to Hillary Clinton. Like Hillary, she could run for president after husband Nestor’s term ends. And like Hillary, she plays an active role in the formulation of her husband’s policies. “The Kirchners knew from early on in their marriage that they wanted to reach the top, and the best way to do it, they concluded, was together. They are political partners.” Argentina has always been “a country of strong women.” For that reason, Cristina may even have a better chance at presidency than Hillary.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up