Election Day in Argentina

Well, it`s election day here in Argentina and it looks like it will be an interesting one. I don`t know much about the candidates or their platforms but it is a hotly contested election race mostly between Christina Kirchner and Roberto Lavagna. Robert Lavagna is an economist and saw Argentina through the economic crash of six years ago, and Christina Kirchner is a senator and a popular choice to win today. She is also the wife of the current president, Nestor Kirchner, a fact that has dominated the headlines since she announced her candidacy. This is the sort of gimmick that makes me shake my head and wonder if politics hasn`t sunk to the level of crappy reality TV. Then i remember that politics came first and it`s always been this way. From a memetic perspective it`s fascinating to watch how information spreads and changes, affecting campaigns and the entire political discourse during election time. Here i am thinking more of the recent Ontario provivcial election, where there were many important issues that would directly affect voters over the course of the next four years but instead the discourse revolved largely around the idea of government funding of faith-based schools, an emotional topic that sucked in people`s attention and opinions like a black hole despite it`s logical irrelevance (there is simply no way in today`s Ontario that such a bill ever would have passed).
But back to the Argentine election - It will be interesting to see what happens here throughout the day and the coming week. Argentines are quick to take to the streets in dramatic displays of political protest over even the smallest of issues. And with high unemployment and inflation running at roughly 18 % (yeah - EIGHTEEN!!!!!! WTF?! ) there is plenty to march about (though little is known what the government can actually DO about it). Also of note is the fact that here in Argentina voting is taking place on Sunday (Domingo) - not Tuesday or Monday. This is due to the fact that voting here is compulsory. i will never understand the sheer logistics of accounting for everyone in a highly mobile (borderline chaotic) demography like South America. Many of my Canadian and American friends might disagree with me here but i firmly believe that voting should be mandatory. But i`ll save my ranting for another time. Keep an eye on the international news and tomorrow i`ll post the results here. Stay tuned to see what happens next on a very special episode of "The B.A."...

Below are some links to extra information and articles regarding the election, should you be so inclined. Hope everyone has/had a great weekend.

BBC News coverage - Key Questions in Argentina`s Election
Newsvine.com`s brief description of the Argentine electoral process
The Guardian (UK) - The leading contenders in Argentina's election
Reuters.com - First lady is favorite to win Argentina election

Team Kirchner:

Opposition Leader Robert Lavagna:

Christina Kirchner as Senator:

Christina Kirchner with U.S. First Lady, Laura "The Smile-a-nator" Bush: