By Afp.com
BUENOS AIRES — Argentina's President Cristina Kirchner kicks off her second four-year term, intent on bolstering the country's economy by promoting industry and consumer spending despite the crisis in Europe.
"Nothing and no one can force us to change course," Kirchner said Wednesday, the last official day of her first term as president of the vast South American nation of 40 million.
The 58-year-old Kirchner was re-elected on October 23 with 54 percent of the vote -- the strongest mandate for an Argentine president since the end of the 1976-1983 dictatorship.
Kirchner, still mourning the death more than a year ago of her husband and predecessor Nestor, is due to deliver her inauguration speech before lawmakers and foreign dignitaries at 3:00 pm (1800 GMT).
The president's re-election came in the face of a divided opposition, allowing her party to win back control of the Congress, lost over a long battle with farmers, and maintain its majority in the senate.