Argentina's outgoing
President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has made an emotional farewell
speech to supporters in Buenos Aires.
She urged people to take to the streets if they felt betrayed by the new centre-right government.Conservative Mauricio Macri, who won a run-off election last month, is due to be sworn in as president later.
Mr Macri inherits a host of economic problems including inflation running at almost 15%, officials figures show.
Other experts put it much higher, at nearly 25%. Argentina has suffered badly from a slump in commodity prices and foreign currency reserves have plummeted, making attracting external investment difficult.
Argentina defaulted on its debts last year for a second time in a dispute with hedge funds.
The new Argentine leader has promised a new era of change and reconciliation.
Addressing tens of thousands of cheering supporters outside the Casa Rosa presidential palace in Buenos Aires, Ms Fernandez defended her record.
"We believe in what we have achieved so we need to have a positive attitude to ensure that these things will not be destroyed," she said.
"When you feel that those who you trusted and voted for have betrayed you, take up your flags," she added.
On her final day in office Ms Fernandez unveiled a bust of her late husband, ex-president Nestor Kirchner
President-elect Mauricio Macri (R) on Wednesday played indoor football, with Bolivia's President Evo Morales an opponent
Ms Fernandez is to skip Thursday's swearing-in after the two became embroiled in a row over the ceremony's location.
She insisted the handover took place in Congress, while Mr Macri wanted it to happen at the presidential palace.
Mr Macri sought a court injunction affirming that Ms Fernandez's term ended at midnight on Wednesday to settle the matter.
During her speech, Ms Fernandez joked: "I can't talk much because after midnight I'll turn into a pumpkin."
Power has been temporarily transferred to Senate Speaker Federico Pinedo, who will act as head of state for 12 hours until Mr Macri's inauguration.
Meanwhile, the official Twitter account for the Argentine presidency, @CasaRosadaAR, has been turned into a "Twitter tribute" to Ms Fernandez and her late husband, Nestor Kirchner.
Mauricio Macri is the outgoing mayor of Buenos Aires and former president of football giants Boca Juniors
The current administration has been repeatedly accused of being less than transparent about key statistics such as the real rate of inflation.
The soon-to-be president has repeatedly said he could not yet expand on the detail of his economic plans until he was able to ascertain exactly how critical the situation was.
While his middle-class supporters will be expecting a more liberal economic climate, less well-off working class Argentines will be hoping the new administration protects welfare programmes introduced by the previous government.
Mr Macri indeed promised to be a "president for all Argentines", knowing the powerful labour unions will become restless if economic reform turns out to mean cuts.
Without saying so directly, Mr Macri made it abundantly that Ms Fernandez's combative style had damaged Argentina's image abroad.
Rebuilding relations with neighbours in Latin America and allies further afield, is another job at the top of his "to do" list.
Challenges for the new president
Ms Fernandez and Nestor Kirchner held power in Argentina for 12 years.
She is revered by some Argentines for expanding welfare benefits, nationalising some companies and introducing new civil rights such as gay marriage.
But critics say she created a culture of handouts and clogged Latin America's third-largest economy with interventionist policies.
Mr Macri - the outgoing mayor of Buenos Aires and a former president of football club Boca Juniors - defeated Ms Fernandez's preferred candidate Daniel Scioli by 51.4% to 48.6% in a run-off vote last month.
He is the first centre-right leader to come to power since Argentina returned to democracy.
Mr Macri has not detailed his economic policies, but said that he will need to implement swift and radical changes in order to win back market confidence.
However, Ms Fernandez's party still holds the most seats in the legislature and could make it hard for him to implement big changes.
Thousands of supporters came to see Ms Fernandez's farewell speech
But her legacy is divisive, with the economy mired in problems
