ARGENTINA: President Cristina Fernandez greets supporters at the polls, as the nation votes on her re-election

Record ID: 446666

  • Title: ARGENTINA: President Cristina Fernandez greets supporters at the polls, as the nation votes on her re-election
  • Date: 24th October 2011
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF FERNANDEZ VOTING (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ARGENTINE PRESIDENT, CRISTINA FERNANDEZ, SAYING: "I am the president, I am an activist, but, above all, I am a woman, the woman of a man who was very unique, who made a permanent mark on Argentine political life and who has been permanently entered in history. I believe that his two biggest loves were his family - me and his children - and this important vocation to form part of history. And, well, he achieved it. The family would have liked it if he had been less important historically and that he would have been longer here with us."
  • Embargoed: 8th November 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Argentina, Argentina
  • Country: Argentina
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAEXOPEX2M962EJB2XJ011E4TPO
  • Story Text: Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez cast her vote in the Patagonian city of Rio Gallegos on Sunday (October 23) for the national election she is expected to win by a landslide.
    Rio Gallegos is a stronghold for Fernandez. Her husband and the nation's last president, Nestor Kirchner, is buried in the city, after he died suddenly last year following heart problems.
    Dressed in her now-trademark black, she spoke of Kirchner at the polling station.
    "I am president, I am an activist, but, above all, I am a woman, the woman of a man who was very unique, who made a permanent mark on Argentine political life and who has been permanently entered in history. I believe that his two biggest loves were his family - me and his children - and this vocation to transcend to for part of history. And, well, he achieved it. The family would have liked it if he had been less important historically and that he would have been longer here with us," said Fernandez.
    Fernandez is believed to have earned extra sympathy from her widowhood.
    She is known for being warm when greeting her stronghold of supporters and her behaviour at the polling station was no exception. She was teary eyed as she was greeted by rousing support and embraced an enthusiastic child, who said he wanted to be a future president.
    Over the course of the day, 28 million Argentines are expected to cast their vote to elect the president and vice-president of the country, along with 138 deputies and 24 senators.
    Fernandez is facing six challengers, including former president Eduardo Duhalde, Santa Fe governor Hermes Binner and Workers Party candidate Alberto Rodriguez Saa.
    Binner, a socialist provincial governor, is a distant second in most polls.
    Polling stations in the capital, Buenos Aires, received a steady stream of voters from early morning.
    Voter Maria Angelica noted that everything appeared well organised.
    "I have voted. It's all normal. All necessary ballot papers and registers are here, and everything is calm. There is security. I have voted. Now we are waiting for the result," said Maria Angelica.
    Some turned out in full patriotic regalia.
    Voter Jorge Williams said that he did not expect any trouble.
    "The elections are going to be calm. I think there is a lot of awareness of what is being voted on and I hope that there won't be disagreements," said Williams.
    Voting in Argentina is mandatory.
    Electoral law prohibits massive social, cultural or sporting events and the sale of alcoholic beverages on election day, along with the carrying of weapons or flags.
    All restrictions remain in effect until three hours after voting ends.
    To win re-election, Fernandez needs at least 45 percent of the vote or just 40 percent with a lead of 10 percentage points over her closest rival.
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