Weekly Report - 7 April 2011 (WR-11-14)

ARGENTINA| Win-win situation for Peronistas Federales. The results of the first 2011 primary held by the Peronismo Federal (PF) faction of the ruling Partido Justicialista (PJ) in the city of Buenos Aires allowed both the former Argentine president, Eduardo Duhalde (2002-2003), and the incumbent governor of San Luis, Alberto Rodrí­guez Saá, to declare themselves winners. Although Duhalde officially defeated Rodrí­guez Saá by 248 votes (with 16,976 [50.37%], against 16,728 [49.63%] for Rodrí­guez Saá), the voter turnout was celebrated as the real success of the day. In reality however, both candidates tied, as they each finished with an equal number of representatives for the PF congress - 28 each. The result surprised 'Duhaldistas', who had expected a comfortable margin of victory, and could instead be seen as a symbolic victory for Rodrí­guez Saá. The race remains wide open but this first result doesn't bode well for Duhalde's chances of securing the nomination for the 23 October general election. The PF-tiered primaries will continue as follows: north-east (NEA), 10 April; north-west (NOA), 17 April; centre, 8 May; Patagonia, 15 May; Cuyo and the province of Salta, 22 May. The process will end on 28-29 May in the province of Buenos Aires. The PF congress will take place on 4 June.

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