Argentine Opposition Scores Upset to Force Runoff Election
- Former mayor Macri to face ruling party's Scioli on Nov. 22
- Macri pledges end to currency controls and tariffs on wheat
Argentinian Surprise Opposition Surge Leads to Runoff
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A surprise surge by the Argentine opposition candidate on Sunday drove the presidential race to a runoff, the first in its history, with the two main candidates locked in a near tie.
With 97 percent of the vote counted, Daniel Scioli, the ruling party candidate, held 36.9 percent, while Mauricio Macri of the opposition held 34.3 percent. To avoid the runoff, scheduled for Nov. 22, a candidate would have needed at least 40 percent of votes and a 10-percentage-point lead. Bonds gained as the result surprised investors hoping for a change in policies. Opinion polls in recent months had showed Scioli well ahead.