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| "Daniel Scioli is a strong favorite but faces tough choices if he is elected" |
Argentines are going to
the polls to choose their next president in a general election that ends 12
years of rule under the Kirchners.
President
Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has served 2 consecutive terms and, under
Argentina's constitution, cannot run again.
Her
hand-picked successor, left-winger Daniel Scioli, is leading polls.
But
he is expected to face stiff opposition from Mauricio Macri, the centre-right
mayor of Buenos Aires.
One
more candidate, Sergio Massa, a former Kirchner ally, is polling following Mr.
Macri, while there are 3 other names on the ballot paper.
Argentina elections: All
to play for
Sunday
sees the 1st round of voting - if no nominee gets more than 45% of
the vote, or gets a minimum of 40% as well as a 10-point lead, there will be a
run-off on 22 November.
Whoever
wins the presidency faces important economic challenges.
While
the country gained power after a financial crisis in 2002, its economy, the 3rd
largest in Latin America, has slowed down in current years, with GDP growing by
only 0.5% last year.
The
government is also protected in a battle against American hedge funds who
disagree with how is wants to reorganize $100bn (£65bn) of balance due on which
it defaulted in 2001.
While
the firms successfully sued Argentina for repayment, Mrs. Kirchner refused to
pay.
Mrs.
Kirchner succeeded her husband Nestor as president. He died in 2010, 3 years
after handing over the presidency to his wife.
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| Daniel Scioli was joined by his wife Karina Rabolini for a final rally in Buenos Aires |
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| Mauricio Macri is mounting a strong challenge to Mr Scioli |