Former president Carlos Menem will run as a candidate for the Argentine senate in mid-term congressional elections in October, supporters of the embattled leader announced late Friday.
Menem will run to represent his home province of La Rioja in northeastern Argentina, members of the Justicialist (Peronist) Party announced in La Rioja.
Officially, the 71-year-old Menem would run as a substitute senator with his brother Eduardo, the current senator who is running for re-election as the main senator for La Rioja.
On October 14, the whole of the Argentine senate -- currently controlled by the opposition Peronists -- will be up for re-election. Half of the chamber of deputies will also be up for renewal.
The Peronists hope to make further inroads against President Fernando de la Rua's governing alliance, which includes members of the center-left FREPASO coalition -- BUENOS AIRES (AFP)
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