the 2009 midterm elections took place a year after the crisis with the farmers. the kirchners were highly unpopular at the time, and people rejected their policies and governing style. the growing rates of inflation and crime also eroded their public support. seeking to reverse their declining popularity, néstor kirchner led the list for deputy candidates at the buenos aires province. he was narrowly defeated by francisco de narváez, who led a peronist faction opposed to the kirchners. the kirchners lost the majority of congress as a result of the election.