BUENOS AIRES: Former Argentine president Nestor Kirchner, the powerful husband of current leader Cristina Kirchner, died suddenly of a heart attack Wednesday, throwing the government into uncertainty. The Kirchners had been relaxing at their family home near the southern town of El Calafate when he suffered chest pains and was taken to a clinic. Kirchner's official doctor, Luis Buonomo, said the former leader, 60, had a cardiac arrest and “passed away.” He was to receive state honors before a burial, with his body to be displayed Thursday in the presidential palace in Buenos Aires, Labor Minister Carlos Tomada said. The flag outside the palace was lowered to half-mast Wednesday, and a message left by somebody on the gates read: “Courage, Madame President.” Kirchner, a millionaire with a personal fortune of some $11 million, was president of Argentina from 2003 until 2007, when his wife was elected to succeed him. Since May, he had been serving as head of the Union of South American Nation Kirchner had suffered cardiac problems in the past, and had two operations this year to unblock arteries. His health problems – and his loss in legislative elections in June 2009 that also ended his ruling party's majority in Congress – had led to widespread speculation that he was preparing to run again for the presidency in 2011. US President Barack Obama stressed Kirchner's “significant role in the political life of Argentina.” cause -- had been “indispensable.” – Agence France
