The Economist

January 5, 2013

TWICE in the past quarter-century mobs of looters have helped to drive Argentine presidents from office. So it looked ominous when thousands of people attacked supermarkets and shops in several cities on December 21st and 22nd. The police restored order, but only after two people died and scores were arrested.

The looting followed months of sporadic protests against the government of President Cristina Fernández. Labour unions, long a bulwark of her Peronist movement, complain that inflation, unofficially running at 26% in the 12 months to November, is devouring wages. Transport, banks and hospitals have suffered strikes. The middle class is angry about crime and exchange controls. Ms Fernández’s approval rating stands at 39%, down from 69% a year ago, according to Poliarquía, a pollster.

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