ARGENTINA: Argentine first lady Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner claims victory by 'wide margin'

Argentine first lady claims victory by 'wide margin'. Argentine first lady Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner claims victory in presidential election as early poll results show her with a definitive lead. First lady Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner claimed victory on Sunday (October 28) in Argentina's presidential election and was set to become the country's first elected woman leader. Backed by her husband, President Nestor Kirchner, an emotional Fernandez spoke to followers at her campaign headquarters just before 10pm (0100gmt). Partial results showed Fernandez winning in a landslide with a nearly 20-point lead over second place runner Roberto Lavagna. "We've won by a wide margin. Perhaps with the biggest difference between the first and second place finishers since the return of democracy. But this does not put us in a position of privilege," the straight-talking Peronist senator said. Fernandez has had a long political partnership with her husband President Nestor Kirchner and she is expected to continue the center-left policies of her popular "predecessor" who has led the country out of a deep crisis to four years of robust economic recovery. "Thank you all. And also thanks for your support of the term of this man, President Kirchner," the candidate said. Supporters cheered loudly for Kirchner, who ceded his candidacy to his wife despite maintaining a 50 percent approval rating. "His achievements and mistakes have shown he is man profoundly committed to his country and his people," Fernandez added about her husband. After speaking, Fernandez and Kirchner waved to jubilant supporters amid a cloud of confetti. They also invited former French presidential candidate Segolene Royal on stage. Meanwhile, supporters in the Kirchner's hometown of Rio Gallegos in the southern Patagonia honked horns in celebration as results trickled in. Local cowboy Francisco Castreje said the power couple had always provided in the province of Santa Cruz where Kirchner was governor. "Whether it's Cristina or Kirchner, they've always given us a solution for everything," Castreje said. Earlier in the day, Fernandez voted in a school in Rio Gallegos, Kirchner's hometown and her adopted homeland.

ITN Source | October 29, 2007

Tags:. .french. .weve. .policies. .finishers. .economic