Argentina’s Macri wins crucial midterm poll, as ex-president Kirchner snares a senate seat in opposition

Argentina’s President Mauricio Macri’s centre-right coalition swept crucial midterm elections Sunday and emerged with a strengthened hand to carry through pro-market economic reforms, according to nearly completed count results.

Ex-president Cristina Kirchner meanwhile took a seat in the Senate, marking a return to the political stage she dominated for 12 years before stepping down in 2015, and guaranteeing herself parliamentary immunity from a string of corruption charges.

“We did not win as a party; what won was the certainty that we can change history, and build with love,” a triumphant Macri told cheering supporters in Buenos Aires.

“An Argentine with desire has no limits, we are unstoppable,” he said.

Kirchner said her new centre-left Unidad Ciudadana or “Citizen’s Unity” party had distinguished itself in the vote as the only alternative to Macri’s government.

“We must be proud of this result. Unidad Ciudadana has emerged as the strongest opposition to this government,” an ebullient Kirchner told her supporters.