Argentina's Supreme Court has upheld the corruption conviction of former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner (CFK), confirming a six-year prison sentence and a lifetime ban from holding public office, Perfil confirmed. The ruling ends a lengthy legal process that began with her conviction in December 2022 on charges of fraudulent administration in roadworks contract awards.

The case centres on allegations that 51 road construction contracts in Santa Cruz province were improperly awarded to firms linked to businessman Lazaro Baez during the presidencies of Fernandez and her late husband, Nestor Kirchner. Kirchner has long denied wrongdoing, accusing the judiciary of using the case for political ends.

"The sentences handed down by the previous courts were based on the abundance of evidence produced," the Court said in its ruling, which rejected an appeal filed by the Peronist leader's legal team, as per AFP.

Kirchner, a foe of current President Javier Milei, awaited the Supreme Court decision at the Justicialist Party (PJ) headquarters on June 10, surrounded by supporters who had gathered throughout the afternoon. As news of the court's ruling spread, Kirchnerist activists filled the balcony while sound and lighting equipment was prepared for her response.

"From the most ordinary activist to the most prominent one, everyone has an immense responsibility: to organise," she told the crowd, as quoted by AFP. "We'll put our bodies on the line because we won't flee like the right-wing mafia," she added. “Bring the gorilla Milei so he can see that these people don't change their minds; they carry the flag of Evita and Perón.”

President Milei praised the court's decision in a post on X, stating: "The Republic is functioning, and all the corrupt journalists, accomplices of lying politicians, have been exposed in their operettas about the supposed pact of impunity. Justice is served"

The timing of the ruling carries particular significance, as Kirchner had announced plans to run for Buenos Aires Province legislative elections on September 7. A successful candidacy would have granted her immunity during a four-year term, but the Supreme Court's decision now bars her from seeking office.

This landmark ruling marks a significant moment in Argentine politics, potentially reshaping Milei’s opposition and eliminating one of Peronism's most influential and polarising figures from future electoral contests.

With the libertarian president continuing to gain momentum, buoyed by good progress on the economy ahead of the upcoming legislative elections, as well as uniting with the centre-right PRO party under Mauricio Macri, Kirchner’s conviction shows Milei’s anti-corruption stance in practice, potentially serving to further bolster his political popularity.