Argentina: President Elected Without Run Off

Buenos Aries, Argentina - As you know, four days before the scheduled day, Carlos Menem - who ran first in the first round - resigned his candidacy, making Nйstor Kirchner the elected President. But at the same time depriving him from the opportunity to collect a huge amount of votes in the second round. All electoral polls were anticipating Kirchner180s triumph; indeed, the last Ipsos-Mora y Araujo poll (published in La Naciуn newspaper, May 15, 2003) predicted 78% to 22 % in favor of Kirchner. Menem's decision not to run in the run off is the subject of enormous controversy. However, it does not change one basic fact: Kirchner became president in a legitimate and ordered electoral process and in a context of high confidence inside Argentina180s society. This country, so prone to extreme pendular swings, able to move from hyperinflation to the highest stability in the world and then to the default and a devastating devaluation process, is now seeking for its institutional recovery and economic growth in a far more quiet and confident climate. Economic Minister Lavagna and Vice-President Scioli are key elements in that atmosphere; to a great extent the attention is now focused on the role they could play in the next government. The current context is full of uncertainties concerning the policy orientation of Kirchner180s government. The cabinet is still unknown and the strategy to face the more critical problems is also uncertain. Kirchner origins are found in the left wing side of the Peronist party, but he has governed the province of Santa Cruz - at the far South of continental Patagonia - with pragmatism and realism. His Presidency will open a new period of important changes in Argentina. In the main stream of public opinion a sense of equilibrium prevails: preferences for a moderate growth rate of the economy to avoid intense social conflicts; expectations of investments but also of a more equal income distribution; gradual, rather than shock, approaches to face pending problems such as public debt, the financial system and the status of privatized companies. Moreover, a wide part of this society expects a renovation of political leadership and effective steps to improve the quality of political life. That180s the public agenda waiting for Kirchner. Methodology Door to door interviews were conducted May 8 -12, 2003 with a sample of 1200 Argentineans aged 18+. The margin of error is +/-2.8%. About Ipsos-Mora y Araujo Mora y Araujo is a leader in public, social and political opinion consulting and research services in Argentina. Since 1982, we have provided information and counselling for decision-makers in public and private institutions. The services are targeted to companies, governments, political parties, organizations and associations. Mora y Araujo180s deep knowledge of the Argentine Market is now added to the expertise and international coverage of Ipsos. For more information on this release, please contact: Manuel Mora y Araujo Executive Director, Ipsos-Mora y Araujo Buenos Aires, Argentina 54.11.4706.3300