Background Argentine general election, 2007

elections successor president néstor kirchner held in october. kirchner had declined run second term.

in addition president, each district elected number of members of lower house (the chamber of deputies) proportional population, , 8 districts elected members argentine senate, each district entitled 3 senators (two majority, 1 largest minority party). in provinces, national elections conducted in parallel local ones, whereby number of municipalities elect legislative officials (concejales) , in cases mayor (or equivalent executive post). each provincial election follows local regulations , some, such tucumán, hold municipal elections on other dates in year.

according rules elections in argentina, win presidential election without needing runoff round, candidate needs either more 45% of valid votes, or more 40% of valid votes margin of 10 points runner-up. following months of speculation, , despite high approval ratings, president kirchner confirmed decision forfeit 2007 race, , ruling front victory (fpv), center-left peronist party, nominated first lady, senator cristina fernández de kirchner, on july 19. acknowledging support of growing number of ucr figures ( k radicals ) populist policies advanced kirchnerism, fpv nominated mendoza province governor julio cobos running mate.

the ideologically diverse field included former economy minister roberto lavagna (who broke kirchner in late 2005, obtained endorsement of ucr, , ran right of fpv), elisa carrió (a center-left congresswoman close catholic church), , numerous conservatives , socialists; in all, fourteen candidates registered election. ucr, first time since first ran in presidential campaign in 1892, joined coalition (lavagna s una) rather nominate own candidate.

the president, had maintained high approval ratings throughout term on heels of strong recovery in argentine economy, beset controversies during 2007, including commerce secretary guillermo moreno s firing of graciela bevacqua (the indec statistician overseeing inflation data), allegations of planning minister julio de vido s involvement in skanska bribery case, , suitcase scandal. these controversies, however, did not overshadow positive consumer sentiment , high presidential job approval.

the front victory s candidate, senator , first lady cristina fernández de kirchner, maintained comfortable lead in polling during campaign. opponents focused on denying vote share needed avoid runoff. however, 13 challengers splitting vote, fernández won first round decisively, 45.3% of valid votes, more 22 percent ahead of runner-up carrió. won in every province or district except san luis (won alberto rodríguez saá), córdoba (won lavagna), , city of buenos aires (won carrió). carrió, obtained 23%, made history first runner-up woman in national election in americas.