BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) – Millions of voters in Argentina braved rains on Sunday to weigh in on what the South American nation should look like after the departure of President Cristina Fernandez, who along with her late husband guided the country for 12 years with social welfare policies aimed at the poor while often employing combative rhetoric and protectionist policies with other nations.
Voters were casting ballots in open primaries for presidential candidates who have all but sealed the nominations in their respective parties, making the exercise essentially a giant national poll ahead of the Oct. 25 elections.
The nation known for its soccer players, tango dancing and choice beef is struggling with myriad economic problems. Independent analysts put inflation at over 30 percent and the Argentine peso has slid sharply against the American dollar in recent months. A long-standing dispute with U.S. hedge funds that Fernandez calls “vultures” has kept foreign investors away.
Polls show voters deeply divided about how, and who, is best to tackle those issues.
“We need improvements in every area of life,” said Hector Ramirez, a 65-year-old doorman, who said he was still undecided as he waited in line to vote at an elementary school. “Argentina is a glorious country with abundant resources. The problem has always been who is governing.”