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Monday, 25 June 2007, 00:54 GMT 01:54 UK

Tycoon elected Buenos Aires mayor

By Daniel Schweimler
BBC News, Buenos Aires

Mauricio Macri celebrates his victory Right-wing businessman and football club president Mauricio Macri has been elected mayor of the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires.

The post is one of the most influential and sought-after in Argentina.

Mr Macri beat the government-backed left-of-centre Education Minister Daniel Filmus into a distant second place, with over 60% of the vote.

This is the worst possible outcome for President Nestor Kirchner's cabinet, with national polls due in October.

'Tough opponent'

Supporters of Mr Macri began celebrating his overwhelming victory almost as soon as the polls closed.

"Change won in Buenos Aires today. It's a change that proposes a different kind of politics, different values"
Mauricio Macri

Profile: Mauricio Macri

The opinion polls had been suggesting for some time that he would beat Mr Filmus in the second and conclusive round of voting.

The question was always going to be by how much - now they have got their answer.

It is not clear whether Mr Kirchner, or his wife Christina, will stand in presidential elections in October.

But whether it is Mr or Mrs, they will now have to deal with a tough political opponent in the capital as well as thinking about the message the Argentine electorate is sending them.

It has been quite a week for Mr Macri.

On Wednesday his team, Boca Juniors, won the biggest football club competition in Latin America, and now he has clinched the mayor's post.



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Related to this story:
Buenos Aires mayoral poll begins (24 Jun 07 |  Americas )
Second round in Buenos Aires vote (04 Jun 07 |  Americas )
Argentine mayor removed over fire (07 Mar 06 |  Americas )
Country profile: Argentina (25 May 07 |  Country profiles )

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Buenos Aires government (in Spanish)
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