Menem back on top

last updated 8 January 2015

Buenos Aires

Former Argentine president Carlos Menem led 18 candidates in Argentina’s presidential election this week, but failed to win enough votes to avoid a May runoff. It was a remarkable turnaround for the flashy 72-year-old, who 18 months ago spent time under house arrest during an investigation of alleged illegal arms sales. Menem, with 24 percent of the vote, said he would “triumph resoundingly” in the runoff. But many expect provincial governor Nestor Kirchner to win. He trailed Menem by a hair, but stands to gain ground in the second round. Polls say a majority of voters share a distaste for the ex-president, who left office in 1999 as the nation spiraled into recession. “Why can Argentina not be rid of this man?” asked voters.