Argentines flood streets in anti-government protest

Fernandez's government has angered trading partners with import curbs and it riled Madrid when it seized control of energy company YPF from Spain's Repsol  earlier this year. The country still has outstanding debts dating back to a financial meltdown a decade ago.

Critics say a government drive to break up the media empire run by Grupo Clarin is an assault on free speech. But supporters of the anti-monopoly law that is being enforced say officials are democratizing the airwaves.

DEARTH OF OPTIONS

Fernandez won 54 percent of votes in October 2011, largely due to an economic boom, job growth and expanded social programs. Her government spends heavily to stoke high economic growth and backs big wage hikes that tend to mirror inflation.

Several government officials have been dismissive of the protests and accused organizers of being on the far right.

Fernandez told supporters on Wednesday that Argentines enjoyed more freedom of speech than ever before.

If there's a sector that is demanding certain things, they have to stand up and say this clearly. Now, please, don't anyone think that I'll start contradicting my own policies, she said.

The president's approval rating edged up to 31.6 percent in October, up 1 percentage point from a month earlier, while

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