MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Tierra del Fuego voters defy Kirchner's political strategy

Independent candidate Fabiana Rios.

Tierra del Fuego voters in the extreme south of Argentina have given President Nestor Kirchner another political surprise in Sunday's governor election, where until a couple of weeks ago all was running smoothly for the administration and its October presidential election strategy.

Early Monday governor Hugo Coccaro who is running for re-election and is a close ally of President Kirchner announced he had won by five points and would be disputing the run off with independent candidate Fabiana Rios. This means that Ushuaia mayor Jorge Garramuño, also a close ally of Kirchner and who was supposed to dispute the run off is out. Fabiana Rios is an independent candidate belonging to a relatively new Argentine political party that preaches integrity, transparency and has become the Kirchner's administration most vocal critic and very efficient in uncovering and disclosing government sins and alleged corruption acts. The primary but non official percentages that Mr Coccaro used to announce his first round victory show him with 34%, Ms Rios with 31% and Garramuño, 28%. Ms Rios just a few weeks ago was far behind and her participation was considered rather testimonial and to assert her vote share which in 2003 enabled her to become a national Deputy in a province which has a long tradition of patronizing. But corruption scandals involving the two Kirchner allies unexpectedly changed her fortune. In a video aired in local television an Ushuaia councillor from Garramuño party is filmed pocketing a bribe. The other incident involves Deputy Governor candidate Rosana Bertone who can be seen in internet YouTube making some very damaging remarks about her now political ally and ticket companion Coccaro. Although the filming was done a couple of years ago when the two were political enemies, her comments stunned Tierra del Fuego residents and voters. Even more intriguing the glass fibre network in Tierra del Fuego was intentionally cut in at least five different places leaving Tierra del Fuego isolated for several hours from the rest of Argentina. Garramuño on accepting defeat complained that "Ms Rios was who benefited the most from the videos airings" and public scandal that followed. "Voters decided to punish the current leaders of the province", said Ms Rios adding that it's "common people and the community that are supporting my party". "We've been growing constantly since 2003 and the whole community is supporting us", insisted Ms Rios.