Argentineans go to the polls

(Vatican Radio) Argentina is today going to the polls in mid term elections which will decide the future of recuperating President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

Listen to Vatican Radio's correspondent James Blears' report...

During an accidental fall in August President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner bumped her head. The resulting blood clot from this hard blow, which was not detected until last month, needed an operation, and she's been out of political action since last month. It couldn't have come at a worse time, because of these mid terms.
She needs at least two thirds of Congress to support her in her bid for an unprecidented third term in a row. But her FPV party is facing a real challenge from her former Cabinet Chief Sergio Massa, who's romping to a lead in the key Buenas Aires province.
One third of the Senate is up for grabs while 127 of 257 seats of the lower house the Chamber of Deputies is being contested. The President hasn't been able to campaign for her candidates on doctors orders. Her mute lack of participation might be very politically costly.
Her husband Nestor Kirchner was President between 2003 and 2007. He died of a heart attack in 2010. Cristina won the Presidency in 2007 and was re-elected in 2011. Her current term runs out in 2015.
More than 90,000 troops and police are involved in the security operation to insure peaceful elections.