(born 1930), Argentine politician with macho image; as president of Argentina was first elected successor of first elected president since 1928; candidate of Justicialist (Perónist) party, won landslide victory in May 1989; under constitution, scheduled to take office in December, but country's economic deterioration and increasing violence forced presidential resignation in his favor July 1; born a Sunnite Muslim of Syrian immigrant parents, converted to Roman Catholicism because of political ambitions; after 1976 overthrow of Isabel Perón, jailed by junta for five years; campaigned on program of social justice from Menemobile, luxury bus with speaking platform on roof; initiated harsh austerity measures