Argentines are grateful to Kirchner for engineering a recovery from a 2001 economic crisis that savaged the middle class.

That has translated into such broad support for his wife, Sen Cristina Fernandez, that she is likely to avoid a second round of voting.

Fernandez has been widely compared to Hillary Clinton, a former first lady, who is seeking the US presidency.

But, if successful, Fernandez will be Argentina's first elected woman president. Isabel Peron, third wife and vicepresident to three-time head of state Juan Peron, became president in 1974 on her husband's death but was ousted less than two years later in a military coup.

Argentine law prevents more than two consecutive terms, but a husband-andwife team could alternate in power for as long as their support holds up.

Kirchner has taken on the role of cheerleader during the campaign, saying little except that he relishes the idea of becoming "first gentleman".

But Fernandez has left little doubt that a vote for her is a vote for him, stressing his accomplishments more than any proposals of her own.

"Many of the dreams that we had, we have begun to achieve, " she told a few thousands supporters at her final rally on Thursday. "I call on you this Sunday for the dreams that are unrealised." Fernandez's two main rivals . . . former lawmaker Elisa Carrio and former economy minister Roberto Lavagna . . . have criticised Fernandez for failing to build a platform, saying she is merely trying to ride in on the back of her husband's achievements.