News Analysis: Argentina's presidential contenders to face different challenges if elected

Argentina's presidential contenders will face different challenges if elected in the presidential polls scheduled for Sunday.

Frontrunner Daniel Scioli, a moderate Peronist from the ruling Front for Victory Party, is likely to share power with outgoing President Cristina Fernandez, a formidable political force that many feel will continue to influence the nation's top job even after stepping down on Dec. 10.

Should either of the opposition candidates win, conservative Mauricio Macri or centrist Sergio Massa, the challenge ahead would be to build consensus on a unified governing policy.

In both scenarios, the future occupant of the Pink House must try to set up strong alliances with the country's provincial governors to build a stable and solid governing basis.

Fernandez, who came to power in 2007, inherited the legacy of her late husband Nestor Kirchner, president from 2003 to 2007. The Argentine constitution bars her from running for a third consecutive term, but not from running for a third term after sitting out in the next four years.

To many prominent observers, including ruling party deputy Diana Conti and human rights activist Estela de Carlotto, Scioli could be "a transitional president until Cristina returns."

Further bolstering that perception is the fact that Scioli's running mate, Carlos Zannini, is a member of Fernandez's inner circle and currently serves as her legal and technical secretary.

"As of Dec. 11, Cristina Fernandez will serve as a consultant," Jose Scioli, the candidate's brother and head of the Argentine Development Foundation, said Monday. "We must have respect for former presidents."

Top ruling party deputy Juliana di Tullio said she also expects the outgoing president to continue to play an active role after leaving office.

Fernandez "is going to continue to lead" her followers "no matter where she is," said Tullio. "Without a doubt, a leader of Cristina's magnitude is going to continue to lead me and many others."

Both Macri and Massa, on the other hand, have acknowledged that the challenge for them will be to bring Argentines from across the political spectrum together.

"All of us together are going to build the future Argentina, respecting our differences and arguing sometimes about which is the best path, but knowing we share one direction and one destiny," Macri said during his campaign.

"I believe we can only build a future if we work together," added Macri, former mayor of the capital Buenos Aires. "If there's one thing Argentina needs it's to end (political) sectarianism, we should all wear the national football team jersey and move forward."

Whoever wins, however, will need the backing of regional governors to maintain institutional stability, observers say.

Argentines still remember the chaos that marred the term of former President Fernando de la Rua who was forced out of office in 2001 by angry rioters protesting government corruption and mismanagement.

Adolfo Rodriguez Saa, governor of San Luis, succeeded Fernando de la Rua only to suffer a similar ending. Rodriguez stepped down before concluding his term, complaining that the governors had "abandoned" him.

Scioli has announced his cabinet would include several governors, most of whom belong to the ruling party or similar Peronist currents. Endi