Argentina Elects 'New Evita'

President Cristina to replace husband
Posted Oct 29, 2007 4:07 AM CDT
Argentina Elects 'New Evita'
Argentina's president and his wife presidential candidate Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner wave to supporters at their party's headquarters in Buenos Aires, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007. Early official results and several major exit polls suggested that Fernandez de Kirchner won the presidency Sunday by a large...   (Associated Press)

Argentine first lady Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has become the country's first elected female leader after trouncing 13 rivals in the presidential election yesterday, Reuters reports. A glamorous 54-year-old lawyer and center-left senator, she will take over from husband President Nestor Kirchner in December. Kirchner is credited with leading Argentina's recovery from an economic meltdown in 2001.

"This country was destroyed. Suddenly, everything changed. She's going to take the government policies even further," said a supporter. The fiery, popular Kirchners built their reputations as defenders of human rights, evoking comparisons to popular political power couple Juan and Evita Peron. But some fear that the husband-wife presidential hand-off is part of a ploy to create a long-term political dynasty.

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