Urtubey seeks re-election in Salta

Special Report by Sabrina Pont and Matías Ortega.

Trust. Is what the government of Juan Manuel Urtubey feels, who will seek for re-election for another four years in today’s election. He heads most of the polls, which brings him face to face with only two rivals who could be able to defeat him: Lawmaker and businessman Alfredo Olmedo and Walter Wayar, who counts with the support of the CGT labour confederation.

Urtubey, who counts with the support of President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner’s administration, is hoping to get a clear victory that will be celebrated at the Government House. During one of his last public appearances before the electoral prohibition period, the current governor described his links with the national government by assuring that the Head of State strongly supports him, “but does not mean an automatic escort.”

Urtubey has clear differences with the Government House. For example, he waits for the re-discussion of issues such as energy policies, particularly the price of gas, because his province obtains the main part of its incomes from this sector. He also has a different opinion over other issues, but he makes it clear that he is not from the opposition. In fact, the Governor has already planned to visit Buenos Aires next week to meet with the President as the governor-elect.

Although many Kirchnerites harshly criticize him, Salta’s governor plays his cards counting with the support of Fernández de Kirchner if she runs for the re-election. But, regarding today’s election, the official tried not to nationalize the situation: “Salta’s people is electing their governor, not a representative of the national government,” he stated during a press conference last Thursday. “Whether I win or lose, I have to be responsible,” he continued.

Urtubey’s supporters rule out any surprises and trust in the governor’s victory. Their only doubt is the amount of votes that will separate him from his opponents. They are expecting to receive more than 50 percent of the votes and beat the second candidate by more than 20 points.

During months, lawmaker Olmedo gave a millionaire campaign in order to position itself between the main candidates. According to the polls, he remains in second place, although he assured he will win and be four points ahead the other candidates.

Meanwhile, Walter Wayar, who is in the third place according to the polls, will try to give the head of the CGT, Hugo Moyano, a victory. His vice-governor, Jorge Guaymás, is the head of the labour confederation in Salta. The candidacy of Juan Carlos Romero’s ex vice-governor also counts with the support of the Government House. According to the Kirchnerites, the combination of his votes and Urtubey’s will show that the K-administration counts with a support of the 70 percent.

The rest of the candidates for the third electoral test of the year is completed by Alberto Tonda (Civic Coalition), Diego Mariño (UCR), Carlos Moretto (Proyecto Sur), Claudio Del Plá (Partido Obrero), and Carlos “Tyson” Fernández (MIJD).

Besides from governor and vice-governor, Salta will also elect 11 provincial Senators, 30 Lawmakers, 49 mayors and 318 benches of the Deliberating Council.