First official results confirm Mauricio Macri wins historic presidential runoff in Argentina

[forest444]

Last edited Sun Nov 22, 2015, 10:02 PM - Edit history (1)

Today’s historic runoff that had Daniel Scioli of the ruling Victory Front (FpV) competing against Mauricio Macri of the "Let’s Change" (Cambiemos) opposition coalition dominated by Macri's right-wing Republican Proposal (PRO) to succeed President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner has come to an end: according to initial exit polls, Mauricio Macri has won. Sources in the National Electoral Chamber informed that 66% of the electoral roll had already voted at 4.45 pm, with the election unfolding normally.

Results are expected to be ready starting at 7:30 in the evening, with trends likely to be consolidated by 10:30, according to statements by National Elections Director Alejandro Tullio.

Starting at 8 am, citizens began to cast their ballots in 13,000 different polling stations across the country. In the October 25 elections, Daniel Scioli and Carlos Zannini got almost a 3-point lead (37.1%) over Mauricio Macri and Gabriela Michetti (34.2%), a tighter-than-expected margin that led to today’s landmark runoff - the first in Argentine history.

Victory Front candidate Daniel Scioli, will await the final results at his bunker placed at NH Bolivar Hotel, near the Plaza de Mayo square, while Macri will show up at 8 pm in Costa Salguero.

After a year-long presidential campaign that reached fever pitch after last month’s general election, Argentines finally headed to the polls today amid high turnout of 80%. For the first time in history voters had only two ballots to choose from: Let’s Change (Cambiemos) candidate Mauricio Macri, or ruling Victory Front (FpV) contender Daniel Scioli; most past Argentine presidential elections have had five or six major candidates, and a number of minor ones.

Macri would take office on December 10. The center-left FpV retained an absolute majority in the Senate and a relative majority in the Lower House.

At: http://buenosairesherald.com/article/203520/mauricio-macri-wins-historic-presidential-runoff
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Here's to Scioli. Like Al Gore, he had a good personal reputation and a fairly strong economy (2.8% growth, near-record consumer confidence) - and Pope Francis - on his side.

But like Gore he could not ultimately overcome a candidate - Macri - who had bigotry, local church hierarchy (particularly the Opus Dei), the banks, big business, and, most importantly, big media on his side - not to mention a relentless and well-financed Limbaugh-style attack machine, and of course Washington and the vulture funds.

It's said that sometimes he who wins, loses. That's something President Macrisis will do well to remember before he implements too much out of the IMF playbook. Because in Argentina, those who forget history...

[Judi Lynn]

1. The propaganda war worked for them. Of course they got support from Washington and Wall Street.

God knows how much extra money got thrown at them from outside fascists, just like the support they got for the Dirty War.

Very bad day for the people, the ones who had to see their neighbors dragged off, tortured, thrown out of airplanes by the same element not that long ago.

It's a dark outcome for the people. What a shame there are so many very young voters who didn't see how things go when the fascists are in charge.

The right is not destined to control things perpetually. The human race won't take it. They will lose again when the people can no longer put up with the dirty criminality of the murderous gangsters. It's always far harder to get rid of thugs than it is of leftist administrations who can simply be voted out of office. Leftists don't call out the military and use it against the masses.

Glad you were the one who broke the news, since you have a real history there through your very decent background with an intelligent, moral foundation.

[forest444]

2. It certainly did - but sometimes when you win, you lose.

That will certainly be the case if President Macri pushes forward aggressively with his IMF agenda. I so, we'll probably be back here a couple of years from know discussing the ¡Fuera Macrisis! protests. It's a short jump from Macri...to Macrisis.

These news aside, thank you for that very thoughtful compliment Judi Lynn. A vote of confidence like that is always good to hear; but coming from you, it means a lot.

[Bacchus4.0]

3. What happened? All signs from the first round pointed to a ruling party victory including you

declaring it for them. Poor economic performance and too much corruption?

[forest444]

4. Big media (as I've pointed out many times in past posts - which you don't read)

Consumer confidence is currently near an all-time high in Argentina. I doubt it will be after a year or two of Macri's IMF-issued recipes though.

[Bacchus4.0]

5. I read on LBN you attributed the loss to racism. Kirchner and whats his face aren't white enough

thats an interesting take.

[forest444]

6. That's only part of it - as you know, since you read the post.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141268377#post4

[Bacchus4.0]

7. whats the other part? Corruption and incompetence? I was relying on you to provide accurate

info on the elections and Argentina politics but you haven't been very accurate so far.

[forest444]

8. Well, since you read the posts and pretend not to,

This conversation is over.

Speaking of corruption, you should worry more about Colombia. Plenty there to keep you busy.

[Bacchus4.0]

9. I read some stuff about racism because Cristina isn't white enough

That didn't seem to matter in the previous elections. Well, at least the results of the elections are respected. I don't think we'll be able to say that in a couple of weeks in the Ven election unfortunately.

Have a good one.

[forest444]

10. That's as obtuse as denying Obama's race is a factor in Republican politics.

As in Obama's case, right-wingers in Argentina constantly use racial epithets against Cristina Kirchner. What's more they use her social policies and benefits to the poor as a racist cudgel against her all time, and it narrowly worked against Scioli too. So race is part of it - though not all of it (again, the post - if you'll actually read it).

Menem (whom you referred to) didn't have that problem because he endeared himself to the right by selling himself to big business interests.

All the best to you as well.