Cristina Kirchner seeks allies for electoral comeback in Argentina.

Nicolás Misculin (Reuters) - Former Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner is seeking allies within Peronism as part of her planned political comeback to challenge incumbent Mauricio Macri and his neoliberal economic reforms in the October election, but it's proving difficult.

The center-left political leader still has broad popular support, but continues to divide the Peronist movement, the dominant political force in Argentina since the 1940s.

In recent weeks, Cristina's advisors have met with representatives of the ideologically diverse factions that make up the movement.

The meetings, which ultimately may not yield results, were with more moderate Peronists who could help Cristina broaden her support base.

This year, the former president received the support of regional Peronist leaders, who are trying to leverage Cristina's popularity to boost their own local candidacies.

But the response from other Peronist leaders around the country was mostly one of refusal, according to sources interviewed by Reuters, raising doubts about his ability to defeat Macri, a former center-right businessman.

"More than 70 percent of people are fed up with the government. If we can unite mainly with this opposition, we should do well," MP José Luis Gioja, who heads the fragmented Peronist party, told Reuters.

But "achieving unanimity is difficult," admitted the parliamentarian, who views Cristina's candidacy favorably.

Many rivals within Peronism have distanced themselves from Cristina due to internal power struggles and the aggressive style they perceive in the current senator.

Cristina intends to participate in the elections, sources told Reuters in February, although she has not yet officially launched her candidacy.

Although polls show a tie between the two, his return could be good news for Macri, as it divides the opposition into rival camps.

If she runs, Cristina's support for generous social programs and protectionist economic policies will clash with Macri's intention to reduce the size of the state, cut subsidies, and maintain a $56,300 billion financing agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to deal with the current economic crisis.