The Argentine government erupted as Kirchner’s allies threatened to quit

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Maximo Kirchner (L), opposition legislator Front de la Victoria and son of former Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, looks alongside his colleague Eduardo de Pedro as lawmakers debate the approval of an agreement with the creditors on the country’s delinquent debt in the lower house of Congress in Buenos Aires, Argentina, March 15, 2016. REUTERS / Marcos Brindicci / File Photo

BUENOS AIRES, September 15 (Reuters) – The Argentine Peronist government was shaken on Wednesday after Interior Minister Eduardo de Pedro resigned along with several other hard-left officials. pointing to a rift within the ruling coalition after a contusive loss of the primary election.

The government of center-left president Alberto Fernandez was hit hard on Sunday in an open primary election, seen as a reliable indicator ahead of a midterm congressional vote in November, where the ruling party could lose control of Congress.

This has caused tensions in the party when it seems to be regaining ground, between plans to double populist measures or take a more moderate approach to attracting middle-class Argentines who rallied behind the conservative opposition.

De Pedro, a key ally of powerful Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and part of the ruling party’s most radical wing Front for All, said in a letter that he offered to step down to help the government move towards mid-term voting in November and regain voter support.

“Listening to your words on Sunday night where you raised the need to interpret the verdict expressed by the Argentine people, I considered that the best way to help this task is by making my resignation available to you,” he wrote.

President Fernandez has not yet accepted the resignation.

Government and ruling party spokesmen said Culture Minister Tristan Bauer, Environment Minister Juan Cabandié and Science and Technology Minister Roberto Salvarezza had also resigned.

The three ministers are aligned with the most militant wing of the ruling coalition and are allies of Fernández de Kirchner, a divisive but hugely powerful figure who served as president for two terms between 2007 and 2015 and who commands a significant base. support.

Argentine markets were nervous on Wednesday, with bonds and equities slightly lower.

Reports by Walter Bianchi and Nicolas Misculin; Written by Adam Jourdan; Edited by Marguerita Choy and Richard Pullin

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