Ex-President Cristina Kirchner to run for vice president in October

Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner will be on the ticket for the presidential election in Argentina, which will be held in October, the former president of the country announced, confirming long-running speculation.

Kirchner, who served as Argentina’s head of state for two terms between 2007 and 2015, will be seeking the office of vice president. The leading person on the ticket is Alberto Fernandez, who was chief staff in the government of Kirchner’s late husband and predecessor at the helm of the nation, Nestor Kirchner. Fernandez retained the office for part of Cristina Kirchner’s first term.

The ex-president said she and Fernandez have their differences, but also have known each other for over two decades and can work together to win the election and govern the country again, she said in a video published on Saturday.

The left-wing duo will try to unseat incumbent President Mauricio Macri, whose prospects for re-election are undermined by a staggering economy and failure to keep inflation under control. Kirchner didn’t run against Macri in 2015, as Argentina’s constitution does not allow three consecutive terms as president or vice president to be held.

The announcement came days after Kirshner presented a 600-page book of personal stories, which many observers expected to be timed with her declaration.

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