Victory salute as Fernandez sweeps back into power

President Cristina Fernandez has been re-elected with one of the widest victory margins in Argentine history, by convincing voters that she alone is best able to keep spreading the wealth of an economic boom.

Ms Fernandez won nearly 54 per cent of the votes cast in this weekend’s election, with nearly 98 per cent of polling stations reporting nationwide. Her nearest challenger won just under 17 per cent.

The ruling party and its allies also regained control of Congress, which it lost in 2009, and all but one of nine governor’s state races.

“We need everyone to comprehend … that because of the popular will and this political decision, you can count on me to continue deepening this national project for the 40 million Argentines,” she vowed in her victory speeches before thousands of supporters.

The goal of this “project” is to change society profoundly by using Argentina’s resources to raise incomes, create jobs, restore industrial capacity, reduce poverty and maintain an economic boom that has seen the country grow and reduce poverty.

Since she and her predecessor, her husband, Nestor Kirchner, moved into Argentina’s presidential palace in 2003, the income gap between rich and poor has been reduced by nearly half. Meanwhile, according to the International Monetary Fund’s numbers for 2002-11, Argentina’s real GDP has grown 94 per cent.

Ms Fernandez noted that she is Latin America’s first woman to be re-elected president, but described the victory as bittersweet, since Mr Kirchner, who died of a heart attack on 27 October last year, was not there to share it.

“This man who transformed Argentina led us all and gave everything he had and more,” she said. “Without him, without his valour and courage, it would have been impossible to get to this point.”

Thousands of jubilant, flag-waving people crowded into the capital’s Plaza de Mayo to watch on a huge TV screen as she spoke from a hotel, where her supporters interrupted so frequently with their chants that she lectured them as a mother would her children: “The worst that people can be is small. In history, you always must be bigger still – more generous, more thoughtful, more thankful.”

Then she showed her teeth, vowing to protect Argentina from outside threats or special interests.

“This woman isn’t moved by any interest. The only thing that moves her is profound love for the country. Of that I’m responsible,” Ms Fernandez said.

Later, she appeared in the plaza as well, giving a rousing, second victory speech.

Ms Fernandez overcame negative ratings early in her presidency by softening her combative tone and proving her ability to command loyalty or respect from an unruly political elite.

Ms Fernandez, 58, chose her guitar-playing, hoodie-wearing economy minister, Amado Boudou, as her running mate and potential successor.

They have championed an Argentine solution to countries facing a debt crisis: nationalise private pensions and use central bank reserves to increase government spending, rather than impose austerity measures and force bondholders to suffer before ordinary citizens.