Buenos Aires - Bna
Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner was sworn in for a second four-year term, extolling her country''s economic stability during a time of global crisis. "We are a new Argentina, but we are also in a new world with more challenges and more decisions to be made in the best interest of our people and society," she said. A bulk of her long speech focused on specifics of the Argentine economy that are impressive against the backdrop of a global downturn. Argentina''s economy could see growth of 9% in 2011, she said. While she talked a lot about specific economic indicators, Fernandez did not abandon her populist side. "I am not the president of the corporations," she said, adding, "I am the president of the 40 million Argentinians. " Fernandez ranks as one of the most popular candidates in Argentina since its return to democracy. She won re-election with more than 54% of the vote, the (CNN) reported. Her presidential campaign was also the first she had to wage without her late husband and former president, Nestor Kirchner. He was president from 2003 to 2007, when Fernandez succeeded him. He died in October of 2010. In an apparent symbol of mourning, Fernandez wore black at her swearing in. Her second term as president extends to 2015 .