Cristina Kirchner Wins Presidency

October 29, 2007

President-elect Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner celebrates her election win. (AP Photo/Daniel Luna)

First Lady and Senator Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner came out well ahead of 13 other candidates to become the first woman elected president of Argentina. With nearly 95 percent of polling station's reporting, the second closest contender Elisa Carrió garnered just over 23 percent of the vote while third place Roberto Lavagna gained 17 percent. To avoid a runoff election, Kirchner needed 45 percent of the vote or lead the next closest opponent by more than 10 percent. In her acceptance speech (en español), she credited her husband, current President Nestor Kirchner, with rebuilding Argentina after a 2001 economic collapse.

International press has compared her to other famous first ladies, from Argentina's own Eva Peron to the campaigning Hillary Clinton. Yet Kirchner, who became a senator in 1995, began her political career  well before her husband ascended to the presidency. As the New York Times noted, she has also invested time in foreign relations—an area her husband avoided. Still, her campaign benefited from Nestor Kirchner’s popularity during an administration in which Argentina emerged from the economic crisis.

The senator also stands to inherit a host of problems along with the Casa Rosada. Among them is speculation that Argentina’s inflation rate is higher than official statistics reveal and that the current administration can be blamed for allowing the economy to overheat. Other challenges include a potential energy crisis and a rise in crime.

In a September AS/COA event, the senator emphasized Argentina’s economic growth in recent years, as well as prospects for the country’s fiscal stability. Also last month, in an exclusive interview, Roberto Lavagna—one of the race’s top candidates and former minister of economy under the current president—outlined policy proposals in the areas of employment, security, and education. 

Colombians also went to the polls on October 28, voting in regional elections. More than 20 candidates were assassinated leading up to elections. However, the Economist reports progress, pointing to signs that the country’s local elections appear safer and cleaner now than in previous years. 

U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns, speaking at an AS/COA event on October 22, urged passage of a bilateral trade deal with Colombia to support Bogotá’s strides in boosting security. The Council of the Americas hosts Vice President of Colombia Francisco Santos on November 1. Click here to register for the event in Washington, DC.

Article updated from October 26, 2007.

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