Left-leaning Candidate Leading in Argentine Presidential Race

Daniel Scioli of the ruling Front for Victory party (FpV) won with more than 38 percent of the vote, besting opponent Buenos Aires mayor Mauricio Macri by 16 percent in Sunday’s Argentine primary elections.

In order to bring more equality and transparency to the electoral process in Argentina, the government of President Cristina Fernandez implemented a 2009 reform that brought in simultaneous and mandatory open primaries, referred to as the PASO system.

About 32 million Argentinians were eligible to vote in the primaries, with 15 presidential candidates on the ballot.

Scioli heads to October 25 general election as the front runner having won more than eight million votes. On hearing the official results, the left-leaning candidate said that he would continue to attempt reach undecided voters “with humility, responsibility, commitment and gratitude.”

Currently governor of Buenos Aires Province, Scioli was an ally to late former President Nestor Kirchner and was the candidate selected by president Fernandez. The FpV candidate will look to continue 12 years of progressive government under Kirchner and Fernandez, with analysts suggesting that Sunday’s vote opens a clear path for Scioli to reach the Casa Rosada – the presidential residence.

However Fernandez and government supporters accuse the right-wing opposition and media engaging in a constant smear campaign against her administration, saying conservatives are looking for a return to neoliberal policies.

Fernandez has retained high popularity due to various measures implemented through her government, including the fight against the “vulture funds” — led by U.S. billionaire Paul Singer's Elliott Management.

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Despite its distributive and nationalist policies, the ruling party has had to struggle with high inflation rates and in a particularly difficult year in economic terms, following the fall in raw materials which has impacted most of Latin America’s economies. Scioli has pledged to address the economic problems in the country while maintaining living standards as well as the country’s social programs.

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Macri, a conservative businessman who gained recognition as president the Boca Juniors soccer club, has been a long-time opposition figure who has promoted a free market approach.