A governor and key ally of President Nestor Kirchner resigned on Thursday, a day after more than 20 people were hurt in protests by state workers that have intensified in the Argentine leader's home province. The demonstrations are posing a stiff challenge to the centre-left president five months ahead of Argentina's presidential election.
Protests led by teachers demanding wage hikes - including a recent night-time march on Kirchner's house - have gripped the province of Santa Cruz, where he governed for 12 years and still wields considerable political power.