MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Another provincial election confirms support for CFK re-election bid

Neuquen governor Jorge Sapag was re-elected with 48% of the ballots

Another provincial ally of Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, CFK, was re-elected Governor in the Patagonian province of Neuquen confirming the ample support for the head of state’s re-election bid next October.

“In case President Cristina (Fernandez de Kirchner) decides to seek re-election, I’ll work and give everything so that she can be re-elected” promised Neuquen governor Jorge Sapag.

Likewise the leader of the Movimiento Popular Neuquino, MPN, stressed his “support to the government’s national and popular project led by Cristina Fernández de Kirchner”.

Sapag also told reporters to have received the congratulations of the Head of State right after the elections outcome last Sunday.

“I’m glad to inform that I have received a call from the President and to tell everybody that as from this week I’ll be working so that she can be re-elected”.

Strangely enough the defeated candidate, Martin Farizano who led a coalition of local parties also announced his support for Cristina Fernandez re-election bid.

In spite of being one of the provinces most affected by the ash cloud, y76% of the electoral roll turned up at ballot day, when besides governor and deputy governor, a new provincial 35 seat legislative was also elected.

The Sapag family has dominated politics since 1961 and has never lost an election in Neuquén, one of Argentina’s hydrocarbons’ rich provinces. Oil and gas in the main industry, followed by tourism and sheep farming

Jorge Sapag obtained 48% of the ballots and Farizano’s coalition 35%.

The MPN is a political force inspired in Peronism but acts autonomously.