MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Provincial vote in extreme north and south confirm support for Cristina Fernandez

Maurice Closs claims comfortable victory dedicated to the President

Provincial voting in the extreme north and extreme south of Argentina confirmed on Sunday support for the administration of Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and her ‘development model’ to be tested next October when she will be running for re-election.

In the northern province of Misiones, bordering with Brazil and Paraguay, Governor Maurice Closs claimed ample victory in his re-election bid and dedicated his success to the support he received from President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

In voting in the extreme south, Tierra del Fuego results anticipate a second round but both candidates campaigned saying they had the support from the Argentine president.

“This is a historic election, since this province has a history of tight races” said Governor Closs who immediately added “this is a contribution to the national project of President Cristina Fernandez with which we feel entirely identified”.

To express support for Governor Closs and celebrate victory Interior minister Florencio Randazzo was sent to Misiones,

With only a 5% of the votes tallied, preliminary reports indicate that Closs has obtained over 80% of the votes.

According to Misiones electoral officials sources, up to a 75% of registered voters cast their ballots in order to choose a governor, provincial lawmakers, mayors and councilmen.

Early Sunday Closs had expressed his frustration over the technical problems affecting the election’s official website.

This is the reason why he decided to reschedule a press conference that he had called for late evening. He will address the media once he has the official results, campaign officials said.

Randazzo described the elections as “an astonishing result” for the Kirchnerite candidate.

“The Renovation chose the right path, that’s why people in Misiones keep choosing it,” he said, as he stressed that they had ratified their commitment with the National Government’s plan.

Misiones governor Closs said that he has “always been for the President through good and bad times”.

Meantime in Tierra del Fuego where provincial elections were also held, incumbent governor Fabiana Ríos said there was a “technical tie” between her and Victory Front candidate Rosana Bertone and that a run off next Sunday will define who will be the province's next governor.

Neither Ríos nor Bertone reached the 50% of votes needed to win in a first round. Thus, a run off is to take place next Sunday.

Polls closed at 8pm, two hours later than usual. Thus, official results were expected to be announced after midnight.

Both gubernatorial candidates hold close ties to President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner's.

Whatever the result next Sunday it is already considered a victory for the Argentine president and her re-election bid next October.