May 30, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Most people in Argentina have a positive view of the way their president has led the country, according to a poll by OPSM. 58 per cent of respondents think Néstor Kirchner's tenure has been good.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Most people in Argentina have a positive view of the way their president has led the country, according to a poll by OPSM. 58 per cent of respondents think Néstor Kirchner's tenure has been good.

Argentina has held five presidential elections since the demise of an eight-year military dictatorship in 1982. Kirchner finished second to former president Carlos Menem in the election held in April 2003. Menem withdrew from the scheduled run-off after voting intention polls suggested an overwhelming victory for Kirchner, candidate of the Front for Victory (FV).

On May 25, Kirchner celebrated his fourth anniversary in office and called for a grand alliance of parties ahead of this year's presidential ballot, adding, "Electoral issues must be solved in due time. Meanwhile, this is the time to work." 53 per cent of respondents say their personal situation is better today than in 2003.

The next presidential election in Argentina is scheduled for Oct. 28. Kirchner is eligible for consecutive re-election, but has neither finalized a decision on whether he will seek a new term, nor confirmed if he will endorse his wife and current Buenos Aires senator Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.

Also on May 25, Menem announced he will become a presidential candidate again this year.

Polling Data

How would you rate the tenure of Néstor Kirchner?

Good	58%
Average	34%
Bad	8%

How would you rate your current situation now compared to 2003?

It is better	53%
It is the same	33%
It is worse	14%

Source: Opinión Pública, Servicios y Mercados (OPSM)
Methodology: Face-to-face interviews to 1,100 Argentine adults, conducted in May 2007. No margin of error was provided.