Argentina's First Lady, Cristina Fernandez, is poised to switch jobs with her husband, President Nestor Kirchner, after claiming victory in an election that launches the country's most powerful political dynasty since Juan and Evita Peron.

With more than four-fifths of the polling places reporting from yesterday's vote, Ms Fernandez had about 44 percent of the vote, almost double that of her nearest challenger, the former MP Elisa Carrio, who conceded defeat. There were 12 other candidates.

Once confirmed, the margin of victory will be enough to put her in power in Buenos Aires's Casa Rosada - the presidential Pink House - without the need for a run-off vote.

"We have won by a large margin," Ms Fernandez told a jubilant victory rally last night before paying tribute to her husband, with whom she shared the stage, alongside Segolene Royal, the French Socialist who failed in her own presidential attempt earlier this year.

Ms Fernandez, 54, is a lawyer and senator who followed her husband as he rose from an obscure governorship to the presidency, the couple drawing comparisons to Bill and Hillary Clinton - as well as providing a lucky omen for the Clintons ahead of next year's US presidential election.

She becomes Argentina's second female president after Isabel Peron - Peron's third wife who took over on her husband's death in July, 1974, and ruled until a military coup two years later - but the first to be elected to the post.

Ms Fernandez ran an unorthodox campaign, refusing to debate and spending much of the time abroad in photo-ops with world leaders. Her chic European dresses and designer bags drew comparisons with Evita Peron, Argentina's most famous first lady.

She is expected to bring a feistier and more glamorous style to the Pink House, in which she has already spent the past four years. Analysts said that the strength of her win - no presidential candidate has scored more highly since democracy was restored in 1983 - also gives her an opportunity to tackle the problems of her husband’s administration, including high inflation, an energy crisis and a shrinking budget surplus.

In last night's victory speech, Ms Fernandez promised not to become complacent. “We have won amply,” she said. “But this, far from putting us in a position of privilege, puts us instead in a position of greater responsibilities and obligations.”

A spokesman for Ms Carrio spokesman said that seven parties had filed complaints alleging missing or stolen ballots. One representative of the ruling party was arrested on suspicion of trying to vote twice, and a judge extended voting by an hour in the capital because many polling stations opened late.

Argentina’s 27.1 million registered voters also filled dozens of seats in the House and Senate and nine governorships, including that of Buenos Aires province, considered the country's second most powerful post, which was won by Vice-President Daniel Scioli.

Mr Kirchner oversaw a dramatic recovery from a crippling 2001 economic crisis, repaying Argentina’s entire $9.5 billion debt to the International Monetary Fund, although critics say Argentina would be riper for sustainable development if he had better managed the income from soaring commodity prices.

For now, the President says that he will be happy to act as "first gentleman" after hading his wife the presidential sash and scepter on December 10. But few expect him to fade too far into the background - and some even suspect the couple are planning to swap jobs again in 2011.

“That’s the million-dollar question: What will Kirchner do after handing over power?” said Gustavo Martinez Pandiani, a political scientist. “No one believes he’s going to be in his pyjamas and slippers, waiting for his wife to come home so he can say, ‘Hi. How was your day?'"

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