BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - Former President Nestor Kirchner, who steered Argentina out of crisis and political instability with a leftist populism that thrilled the poor and exasperated the wealthy, died of a heart attack Wednesday with his wife, President Cristina Fernandez, by his side.
His death at age 60 abruptly ended a plan the couple had to keep succeeding each other and holding onto power for many years. Fernandez will have to run for reelection next year without her closest adviser, the charismatic party leader who kept a tight lid on the country's unruly political scene after becoming president in 2003.
Kirchner's death leaves a gaping hole in Argentine politics. While Fernandez is a powerful figure, Kirchner was seen as the heir to Juan Peron, the legendary strongman whose advocacy for workers brought generations into the middle class. Also like Peron, he tolerated few challengers, keeping in check the nation's labor unions, activist groups, governors and mayors.
One of Kirchner's latest campaign promises was to support a labor movement effort to require all large businesses to open their books to the unions and turn 10 percent of their profits over to the workers.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
