Un duelo nacional

A change from the usual lightheartedness...

When I started this blog, I had the intention of posting about current events in Argentina. Although I've stayed quite informed, I haven't done any political or news-related posts. Compared to what we have in the U.S., Argentine politics are extremely complicated, and although I have opinions I think it would take years of living here for me to really form a stance.

Right now, however, I feel inclined to post, because the country is in a strange, sad, historical moment. Yesterday morning, former president Néstor Kirchner died unexpectedly of heart failure. He was the husband of the current president, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, and continued to be a highly influential political figure until his death. In the news, the two are often referred to as el matrimonio presidencial ("the presidential marriage").

To honor the former president's death, the nation entered into an official three-day mourning period. The flag is at half-mast, and several events have been canceled. Today, people waited for hours in a seemingly infinite line outside of the casa rosada to pay their respects to Néstor and to offer their condolences to Cristina, who stood solemnly and patiently as each citizen greeted her. What an awful duty to have as a president, to be in the public eye all day immediately following her husband's death. The mourners go to show Cristina their support and solidarity, but in return they are asking her to have the strength to receive all of them and to show them things will be all right.

Cristina with Néstor's coffin.

The people's reactions to Néstor's death demonstrate the heated nature of politics in this city, a place of continuous strikes and protests. It seems that no one is apathetic, and some are incredibly moved; footage of people crying has been on the news non-stop. Some who did not support the former president's views are openly happy about his death. We exchange students have collectively seen the full range of reactions from our host families. This event, although ordinary in its gravity, seems to hold great personal significance for each person living in this country. Even I feel involved, somehow.

So that's the current climate, as far as I see it. The whole thing makes me question how we relate to our political leaders and our expectations of them on a personal level. I shudder to think about it, to be honest. What about you? How does the "political celebrity" phenomenon differ from place to place in the world?