MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Opinion polls show Cristina K comfortably winning in October

Public opinion polls as smiling for the First Lady

Argentina's First Lady Cristiana Kirchner is set to win the coming October presidential election in the first round with no need of a run off, according to public opinion polls published in Buenos Aires daily Sunday editions.

Cristina K leads in all polls with 45 to 49% of vote intention followed by former Economy minister Roberto Lavagana, (who split with the Kirchners'), with 13% and Social democrat Elisa Carrió with 9%. According to the Argentine constitution Senator Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner can win in the first round if she effectively crosses the threshold of 45% of votes, or if she manages 40% with at least a ten point difference over the runner up. "Chances of a change in the voting pattern tendency are minimum; logic indicates that Cristina should win in the first round", said pollster Manuel Mora y Araujo. Enrique Zuleta Puceiro goes further, Cristina Kirchner "has no chances of loosing because she has stabilized in 50% vote intention and on the other side there's nothing that seems could alter the scenario". Zuleta Puceiro said Cristina has a vote intention of 44.3%, followed by Lavagna 13.1% and Carrió. 9.7%. "As of today the election is defined: no chances of a second round, only something extraordinary could change the situation", said analyst Hugo Haime whose polls record support for Cristina at 49.1%. Another analyst, Analia del Franco said that the official launching of Cristina Fernandez' candidacy last July 19 "consolidated her vote intention reaching 50%". "In the 90 days left for the election it will be very difficult for any opposition candidate to bridge the difference", said Analia del Franco. Cristina Kirchner's presidential ticket was completed over the weekend when Mendoza province governor Julio Cobos was proclaimed as her vice president candidate. Cobos belongs to a group of dissident opposition governors and mayors that have decided to join forces with President Kirchner. The Victory Front, Kirchner's political movement, will officially launch the campaign next August 14 in an open political rally.