16 Facts About Julio Cobos

Julio Cobos started his political career as member of the Radical Civic Union party, becoming Governor of the Province of Mendoza in 2003.

Julio Cobos was expelled from the UCR in 2007, and was then selected by presidential candidate Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, of the ruling Front for Victory, as her candidate for vice-president in the elections of that year, which they won.

Julio Cobos was elected to the Chamber of Deputies in 2013, to the Senate in 2015, and again to the Chamber of Deputies in 2021.

Julio Cobos was born in 1955 in the city of Godoy Cruz, Mendoza.

Julio Cobos's parents are Fermin and Asuncion, and he has two older brothers.

Julio Cobos studied high school in the Military Liceum, and later in the Universidad Tecnologica Nacional.

Julio Cobos graduated from construction engineering in 1979 and civil engineering in 1988.

Julio Cobos was elected governor in 2003, heading a coalition between Radicals with Recrear and Federalists.

Julio Cobos was in dispute with other Radicals in Mendoza, led by former governor Roberto Iglesias, then Radical leader, over his support for Kirchner and their desire to back another presidential candidate in the 2007 elections.

Mendoza's constitution does not allow re-election; however Julio Cobos supported Celso Jaque to take office in 2007 on the same slate as Kirchner.

Julio Cobos was asked by Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner to stand as her running mate in 2007 heading the Front for Victory slate.

Julio Cobos accepted her offer and was consequently expelled by the UCR in July 2007.

Julio Cobos had been expected to back President Fernandez de Kirchner.

Julio Cobos refused to step down, while Fernandez had not asked for his resignation, as his approval rating has been double that of hers in some polls.

Julio Cobos criticized her decision to nationalize more than $25 billion in private pension funds as premature and would only create more doubts among investors about the stability of Argentina's investment climate.

Julio Cobos initially maintained a quiet position about the topic, and declared his intentions to be candidate by the beginning of 2010.