On political labelling. Position, perception, and self-representation of the kirchnerismo within the left-right continuum (2003-2015)

Abstract

Emerged after the social, political, and economic crisis of 2001-2002, Néstor Kirchner administration presented itself as a national unity government. Confrontational politics were relegated. Additionally, Kirchner government was part of the post-neoliberal wave that took place in Latin America, also called the Left Turn or the Pink Wave. After Kirchner’s government, his wife Cristina Fernández won the presidential elections in 2007, and was reelected in 2011. The 12 years period formed a historical bloc called kirchnerismo. In this paper is explored the identification/convergence between kirchnerismo and the leftist political identity, its ideological radicalization, its relative position within other governments in Latin America, the formation of a rightist identity as opponent, and its final position towards the left of the argentine political spectre.