Argentines Vote in Presidential Primary Sunday Aug 09,2015

 

Argentina switched to a primary system in 2011. Voters — not just party members or officials — now decide which candidate from each major party or alliance will run in the presidential election, which will be held on Oct. 25,2015

To win in October 2015 without the need for a runoff, a candidate needs more than 45 percent of the vote, or 40 percent with a lead of more than 10 points.

There are three presidential candidates, from left, lawmaker Sergio Massa, Buenos Aires' Mayor Mauricio Macri and Buenos Aires' Governor Daniel Scioli. These three leading candidates are running in the Sunday, Aug. 9, 2015 open presidential primary election

 

Sergio Massa, who has held cabinet and elective posts and broke with Ms. Fernandez, is running on his own ticket and promises to jail corrupt politicians

Mauricio Macri, the outgoing mayor of Buenos Aires and former president of Boca Junior soccer club, is the top opposition candidate. He has promised to make the country more business friendly and lift restrictions on citizens’ ability to buy U.S. dollars a promise the government and some economists say isn’t realistic.  

Daniel Scioli, the governor of the Buenos Aires province and a former vice president, is Ms. Fernandez’s successor candidate. He has praised Ms. Fernandez’s policies but also promised to make reforms where necessary and be more amicable in dealings with other countries.

Incumbent President Cristina Fernandez Kirchner and her late husband dominated Argentine politics for 12 years, focusing on social welfare programs for the poor at home while often employing combative rhetoric and protectionist policies with other nations

Cristina Fernandez Kirchner is constitutionally barred from running for a third term

Cristina Fernandez Kirchner comfortably won elections in 2007 and 2011, but discontent with her administration has increased in recent years