News / Argentina

Scioli concedes defeat, Macri wins Argentine's presidential runoff

Monday, 23 November 2015 1:44 AM [ Last Update: Monday, 23 November 2015 1:59 AM ]

Mauricio Macri (C), celebrating next to his running mate Gabriela Michetti (C-L) at the Cambiemos (Let's Change) party headquarters in Buenos Aires on November 22, 2015. (photos by AFP)

Leftist contender Daniel Scioli has conceded defeat in Argentina's presidential runoff after early results put opposition candidate Mauricio Macri in the lead.

"By popular will, a new president has been elected: Mauricio Macri," said Scioli during a speech at his campaign headquarters in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires on Sunday.

With 75 percent of the votes counted, official results gave Macri 53.3 percent of the votes and Scioli 47 percent.

"We made an effort and had the will to convince. I am a democrat and I respect the popular will, which has chosen an alternative," Scioli said.

*Buenos Aires province governor and presidential candidate Daniel Scioli (L), admits his defeat to his rival at his party's headquarters in Buenos Aires, on November 22, 2015.*

Neither of the candidates won sufficient support during the initial round of voting, held last month.

Scioli, who is the governor of the Buenos Aires Province and a former vice president, was the choice of incumbent leftist President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.

During his campaign, the economically liberal and socially conservative Macri had promised to liberalize the economy and lessen restrictions on US dollar transactions and imports.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk