Argentina government loses Senate power after senators exit coalition

FILE PHOTO: People walk outside the National Congress in Buenos Aires, Argentina March 17, 2022. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentina's ruling Peronist coalition was dealt a blow on Wednesday when four of its senators announced their departure, weakening the government's sway in the Senate just eight months before high-stakes general elections.

Senators Edgardo Kueider, Guillermo Snopek, Carlos Espinola and Maria Eugenia Catalfamo said they would leave the center-left alliance that supports President Alberto Fernandez and his powerful vice president, Cristina Kirchner. The pair have struggled with party infighting and inflation near 100%.