Kirchner says primary win due to good 'management'

BUENOS AIRES: Argentine President Cristina Kirchner on Monday attributed her big win in a primary election to her government's strong "management," as analysts predicted she would be very hard to beat in October.

With over 95 percent of results in, Kirchner was leading with 50.07 percent of votes, way ahead of runner-up Ricardo Alfonsin and former president Eduardo Duhalde (2002-2003), who were neck-and-neck at a little over 12 percent.

The commanding lead for the 58-year-old widow of late president Nestor Kirchner sets her clearly on track to clinch a second term in the October 23 presidential election, with analysts saying her re-election is near-certain.

Kirchner said at a rare press conference that she believed her trouncing of her rivals was in part a "recognition of management" by her government, while cautioning ahead of the polls that "no one owns the citizens' votes."

Argentina's 28 million voters were called to polling stations Sunday to cast their ballots -- compulsory under a December 2009 law -- in primary elections designed to weed out some of the candidates.

Around 76 percent of voters went to the polls, according to initial estimates -- offering a good indication of what could happen in October.

"The opposition vote was very fragmented. The opposition is not offering a credible option and right now, it looks like it will be very difficult for them heading into October," said political analyst Mariel Fornoni, of the Management & Fit consultancy.

Aresco's Federico Aurelio agreed.

"For the opposition, it will be very difficult to close the gap with Mrs Kirchner recorded in the primaries. The point spread is significant," Aurelio said.

The 58-year-old Kirchner rode to victory on the back of a strong economy. Argentina last year posted 9.2 percent economic growth.

"According to one of our polls, 63 percent of the respondents said their vote for the government in power was based on the economic situation," Aurelio said.

In order to win outright in October and avoid a second round run-off, Kirchner will need to win at least 45 percent of the vote, or 40 percent if she has a 10-point margin over her nearest rival.

A member of the centrist Radical party, Alfonsin is the son of the late former president Raul Alfonsin (1983-1989). Duhalde is a Peronist like Kirchner but represents a different faction of her party.

Hermes Binner, the socialist governor of Santa Fe province, was in fourth with 10.26 percent of votes.

By law, candidates receiving less than 1.5 percent of the vote in the primaries will not be allowed to enter their names on the ballot in October.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011