Fernández de Kirchner to run for vice president

After months of speculation, former Argentine leader Cristina Fernández de Kirchner has confirmed she will compete in October’s presidential elections – but not for the nation’s top job.

A divisive figure in Argentine politics, the populist said she will run for vice president on the ticket of former cabinet chief Alberto Fernández.

Most observers had expected Fernández de Kirchner to be the main challenger to embattled center-right businessman President Mauricio Macri.

Fernández de Kirchner, if propelled into power, would likely wield significant influence over the direction of the presidency.

Fernández served under Fernández de Kirchner’s late husband and former president, Néstor Kirchner, and briefly under Fernández de Kirchner herself.

Fernández and Fernández de Kirchner – who is facing a series of corruption charges – will likely use the dire state of the economy, combined with pledges to ease pressure on households – to leverage support.

Primaries are scheduled for August.

Whoever wins in October will take command of an economy that will likely still be in recession.

While Macri has tried to open up the economy and cut spending, Fernández de Kirchner, who served from 2007-15, supported currency controls and high social subsidies.

The country's debt pile has grown significantly, however, under Macri.