President Cristina Kirchner was poised for a resounding re-election victory -- helped by strong economic growth and sympathy a year after the death of her husband -- as Argentines voted Sunday.
The 58-year-old lawyer -- who next week will mark the
one-year anniversary of ex-president Nestor Kirchner's fatal heart attack --
has made gains with a more consensual style than her husband, against a fractured
opposition.
"It's very emotional," Kirchner told
journalists after voting in Rio Gallegos, Patagonia, 1,600 miles (2,600
kilometers) south of Buenos Aires, a day after visiting the tomb of her husband
and political partner.
She could win with just 40 percent if her nearest rival
is more than 10 points behind, but latest polls suggest she would sweep over 50
percent.
The center-left politician also hopes to win back control
of the Congress, where 130 lower house seats and 24 senate seats are at play.
Argentina, a vast South American nation of 40 million,
saw a booming economic growth -- aided by high world prices for its farm
exports -- after Nestor Kirchner took office in 2003.
The late president, who had been expected to run for
reelection, was credited with lifting the country out of its Greek-style
financial meltdown of 2001 by restructuring massive debts and promoting
spending.
Cristina Kirchner has vowed to push forward with popular
social programs -- such as pensions and child benefits, as well as subsidies
for transport and utilities -- and dismissed unofficial figures of rampant
inflation.
Still dressing in black mourning garb, she has worked to
improve relations with key sectors like industry and agriculture, after losing
support in a dispute over taxes on farmers three years ago.
Kirchnerism belongs to the diverse and powerful Peronist
movement of three-time former president Juan Peron and his populist second wife
Evita.
Many Argentines see Kirchner's policies, which have been
accompanied by a drop in both poverty and unemployment, as the safest bet for
the economy amid uncertainty in Europe and the United States.
"I think it's the best we've got. Human beings have
a right for basic help from the government, like pensions," said
63-year-old teacher Monica Bietti, after she voted in a Buenos Aires school.
"I don't think the other candidates would dare to
stand up to the world over debts or anything else."
Kirchner's divided opponents have failed to convince they
can do more to reduce runaway inflation -- which independent analysts estimate
at more than 20 percent per year, more than double government figures.
Socialist candidate Hermes Binner has warned that
Argentina, which relies heavily on exports to Brazil and China, will soon feel
the effects of the global crisis, as growth is expected to slow down next year.
Binner, 68, is predicted to come second, more than 30
points behind Kirchner, while other rivals include 59-year-old Ricardo
Alfonsin, from the traditional Radical Civic Union party and son of a former
president.
In the most predictable elections since the end of the
1976-1983 dictatorship, many candidates have focused on winning seats in
Congress.
Compulsory balloting for almost 29 million people began
throughout the country at 8:00 am and was to close at 6:00 pm (2100 GMT).