Argentina faces tight presidential race

Argentina’s primary elections have set the stage for a close race in October’s presidential vote that will bring an end to the eight-year rule of the leftist government of President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner

Result by party (%)*
Front for Victory (FPV)
Let’s Change coalition
United for New Alternative (UNA)
38.5
30.0
20.6
Each party choses own candidate, but with voters free to cross party lines, primary vote is seen as dry run for presidential poll

Daniel Scioli
Governor of Buenos Aires province, former vice president. Ruling party candidate promises to gradually open economy, while preserving strong social safety net developed since Fernández took power in 2007

Mauricio Macri
Mayor of Buenos Aires, ex-president of Boca Juniors football club. Business-friendly candidate vows to scrap currency controls and resolve dispute with creditors blocking access to international capital markets 

Sergio Massa
Former cabinet chief before breaking away from Kirchnerism. Congressman Massa – who promises to jail corrupt politicians – is longshot bid but he has enough support to be spoiler or kingmaker in general election

Candidate needs 45% of vote, or 40% with 10-point margin over whoever places second, to win presidency outright. Close primary result raises likelihood of second-round run-off vote in November

Pictures: Associated Press
*Over 96% of ballots counted