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Kirchner claims Argentine victory Kirchner claims Argentine victory
(30 minutes later)
Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has claimed victory in Argentina's presidential elections.Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has claimed victory in Argentina's presidential elections.
Partial official results, based on two-thirds of ballots being counted, gave her 43.6% of the vote.Partial official results, based on two-thirds of ballots being counted, gave her 43.6% of the vote.
Her nearest rival, former beauty queen Elisa Carrio, has conceded defeat with 22.6% of the vote. Her nearest rival, former lawmaker Elisa Carrio, has admitted defeat with 22.6% of the vote.
If confirmed by the full count, Mrs Kirchner will succeed her husband Nestor Kirchner and become Argentina's first elected female president.If confirmed by the full count, Mrs Kirchner will succeed her husband Nestor Kirchner and become Argentina's first elected female president.
"We've won by a wide margin," she told supporters in a speech at her campaign headquarters at a hotel in Buenos Aires."We've won by a wide margin," she told supporters in a speech at her campaign headquarters at a hotel in Buenos Aires.
ELECTION ARITHMETIC 27m eligible voters14 candidates running for presidentWinner needs 45%, or 40% plus 10-point leadIf needed, second round on 25 NovemberNew president to be sworn in on 10 December Q&A: Argentine election Candidate profiles Key questions in election As her husband, the outgoing president, stood at her side, she said she would build on his work.ELECTION ARITHMETIC 27m eligible voters14 candidates running for presidentWinner needs 45%, or 40% plus 10-point leadIf needed, second round on 25 NovemberNew president to be sworn in on 10 December Q&A: Argentine election Candidate profiles Key questions in election As her husband, the outgoing president, stood at her side, she said she would build on his work.
"We have repositioned the country, fought poverty and unemployment, all these tragedies that have hit Argentines," she said, referring to the country's recovery from the 2001 economic crash."We have repositioned the country, fought poverty and unemployment, all these tragedies that have hit Argentines," she said, referring to the country's recovery from the 2001 economic crash.
Exit polls showed Ms Carrio, who ran on an anti-corruption platform, took one out of four votes nationwide and did well with middle and upper-class voters in urban areas.Exit polls showed Ms Carrio, who ran on an anti-corruption platform, took one out of four votes nationwide and did well with middle and upper-class voters in urban areas.
Ex-Economy Minister Roberto Lavagna won 19% of the vote, partial results showed.Ex-Economy Minister Roberto Lavagna won 19% of the vote, partial results showed.
Mrs Kirchner needs more than 45% of the full vote, or 40% with a 10 point lead over the next nearest candidate, to win the presidency without facing a second round of voting.Mrs Kirchner needs more than 45% of the full vote, or 40% with a 10 point lead over the next nearest candidate, to win the presidency without facing a second round of voting.
The partial count gives her an apparently unbeatable lead, with double the votes of her rivals.The partial count gives her an apparently unbeatable lead, with double the votes of her rivals.
Mr Kirchner has governed for the past four years, but surprised the nation by deciding not to seek a fresh term.Mr Kirchner has governed for the past four years, but surprised the nation by deciding not to seek a fresh term.
Roberto Lavagna and Elisa Carrio are Mrs Kirchner's main rivalsPolling was extended by one hour in some parts of the country to 1900 local time (2200 GMT) to accommodate a late rush of voters.Roberto Lavagna and Elisa Carrio are Mrs Kirchner's main rivalsPolling was extended by one hour in some parts of the country to 1900 local time (2200 GMT) to accommodate a late rush of voters.
Besides a new president, voters were choosing eight provincial governors, a third of the Senate and about half of the Chamber of Deputies.Besides a new president, voters were choosing eight provincial governors, a third of the Senate and about half of the Chamber of Deputies.
Some 27 million people were eligible to vote.Some 27 million people were eligible to vote.
Economy and crimeEconomy and crime
The economy and rising crime have been the two main issues in campaigning.The economy and rising crime have been the two main issues in campaigning.
Mr Kirchner has overseen a return to stability and some prosperity since the economy collapsed six years ago, plunging thousands into poverty, the BBC's Daniel Schweimler reports from Buenos Aires.Mr Kirchner has overseen a return to stability and some prosperity since the economy collapsed six years ago, plunging thousands into poverty, the BBC's Daniel Schweimler reports from Buenos Aires.
Argentines give their views on candidates and issuesIn pictures But there are fears over how strong the economy really is and general scepticism over official statistics suggesting inflation is under control.Argentines give their views on candidates and issuesIn pictures But there are fears over how strong the economy really is and general scepticism over official statistics suggesting inflation is under control.
Mrs Kirchner's critics have attacked her for failing to outline exactly what her policies are, but voters who spoke to the BBC's Will Grant in Buenos Aires said the opposition had failed to offer any real alternative.Mrs Kirchner's critics have attacked her for failing to outline exactly what her policies are, but voters who spoke to the BBC's Will Grant in Buenos Aires said the opposition had failed to offer any real alternative.
Surprise candidateSurprise candidate
Just a few months ago, Mr Kirchner was riding high in the opinion polls and looked set to continue for a second term.Just a few months ago, Mr Kirchner was riding high in the opinion polls and looked set to continue for a second term.
HAVE YOUR SAY The husband wife political swap reeks of corruption and nepotism Brian, New York, USA Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY The husband wife political swap reeks of corruption and nepotism Brian, New York, USA Send us your comments
However, it was announced in July that his wife Cristina, senator for Buenos Aires province, would stand in his place. No explanation was given.However, it was announced in July that his wife Cristina, senator for Buenos Aires province, would stand in his place. No explanation was given.
As candidate for the governing Front for Victory, she has promised to continue her husband's centre-left policies.As candidate for the governing Front for Victory, she has promised to continue her husband's centre-left policies.
As well as facing comparisons with Eva Peron, Argentina's legendary former first lady, Mrs Kirchner has been compared to former US First Lady Hillary Clinton, who is also a lawyer and senator seeking to become the first elected female president of her country.As well as facing comparisons with Eva Peron, Argentina's legendary former first lady, Mrs Kirchner has been compared to former US First Lady Hillary Clinton, who is also a lawyer and senator seeking to become the first elected female president of her country.
"I don't want to be compared with Hillary Clinton or with Evita Peron, or with anybody," she said recently."I don't want to be compared with Hillary Clinton or with Evita Peron, or with anybody," she said recently.
"There's nothing better than being yourself.""There's nothing better than being yourself."