Opposition Candidate Wins Presidential Race in Argentina

Opposition leader Fernando de la Rua won an overwhelming victory in Sunday’s presidential election, reflecting disenchantment over recession and a decade of Carlos Menem’s flamboyant rule.

With 85% of the ballot counted, preliminary returns showed De la Rua with 48.7% of the vote. The ruling party’s candidate, Buenos Aires province Gov. Eduardo Duhalde, had 37.7%. The rest of the votes were split among eight other candidates.

“Compatriots, I thank you!” De la Rua said, swamped by cheering supporters at a downtown hotel. “I come to thank you as your president-elect. This is a triumph for all of you. All Argentina won!”

Duhalde, 58, conceded hours later, saying he had called De la Rua to congratulate him. Menem also telephoned the winner hours earlier.

“Argentines have elected a president we can all trust, and we must all help him, and I mean all of us,” Duhalde said at a brief news conference at his campaign headquarters.

The new president will take office Dec. 10.