Sergio Massa and Javier Milei: Sparks fly in presidential debate that will decide Argentine elections

According to the newspaper ProfileMassa “surprised Milei an inquiry about their most controversial projects.” ClarionPeronist, a highly oppositional publication”take advantage Ahead of a Milei who cannot benefit from the huge crisis left by the government.” Effective portal Data base He thought Massa was gaining an advantage by questioning his opponent. But in a week’s time, it will be voters, not analysts, who will agree with either one and influence Sunday’s outcome.

Inside A country where 40 percent are poor and annual inflation is close to 140 percent, Milei did not know how to make use of the heavy backpack Massa carried as official candidate and Minister of Economy. He touched on abstract categories of the economy and talked about a decline that had been going on for 100 years. He said it was the result of the Argentine crisis “The proposition that where there is a need, there is a right“Strictly speaking, he stated: “Everything is solved by free markets and prices.” This program “dislikes political caste.” For the anarcho-capitalist “The State is the source of the problem, not the solution. ”

Massa did not seem surprised when the far right accused him of being part of a “government of criminals”. He took advantage of the rhetorical moves of his opponent, who shelved his harshest political measures in order not to scare the voters. “Will health and education remain public in your government?“, “Will you dollarize the economy, yes or no?” he cornered him as if it were a television question-and-answer program rather than a debate between two presidential candidates. “Zimbabwe has proposed dollarization. Confiscating people’s savings is not the way out. The exit will happen with the national unity agreement. (Milei) Wants to destroy the pension system.”

disturbing situations

The problems did not end there Milei had to admit on camera that she was wrong when she called Pope Francis “bad” and assure him that if he becomes president, he will welcome him with open arms. Maybe it was our hardest moment When you praised Margaret Thatcher. For Massa, this was “an attack on the martyrs” of the 1982 Falklands War. Thatcher ordered the cruiser General Belgrano to be sunk outside the exclusion zone. The attack caused the deaths of 323 Argentine soldiers. According to Massa, this elevates him to the status of “enemy of the Argentines”.

There were moments A very strong tension. “Do you have evidence of any crime he committed? NO? Then withdraw,” Massa demanded, and also asked that they both undergo a joint psychotechnical examination to see their emotional capacities. “Respect each other”one of the moderators asked. Massa recalled his situation as the son of Italian immigrants and the role of the state in social mobility.” According to his opponent, “sacrifice is the legitimacy of criminals.” Milei could not handle his ideological genius. He said it was a feature of Argentina. “Failed democracy: tyranny of the majority”“and a “thieving, parasitic and useless” political caste.

“Your proposals will harm people“Peronist replied and Demanded the prosecution of former commanders of the military dictatorship (1976-83) and other oppressors. “They are part of the Argentinian heritage.” According to the media, the far right is in favor of pardoning those in uniform who have served their sentences. Scores of former oppressive far-right figures came out to support the candidate. Vice-president Victoria Villarruel is an ardent defender of the past military regime. On the eve of the controversy, retired captain Iván Volante, a friend of Villarruel, posted a video on social networks showing a green Ford Falcon used for kidnappings and disappearances, predicting its new entry into service. The army denied the image and because the message “seriously undermines the corporate image.” He stated that sanctions would be imposed on Volante.

Fraud allegations

The discussion took place in the magnificent headquarters of the Faculty of Law of the city of Buenos Aires. “Let’s defend the public university. Say NO to Milei. Say NO to university privatization”read the huge sign at the entrance of the building.

During the discussions, the capitalist anarcho touted his political alliance with former right-wing president Mauricio Macri. “This will help us ensure that the election is not stolen from us.”“. For days, La Libertad Avanza (LLA) has raised the possibility of fraud in next Sunday’s elections. The Electoral Judge reported that the LLA distributed an insufficient number of ballot papers to participate in the elections in the main province of Buenos Aires. Argentine, who called for the country’s runoff problem to be resolved A similar situation was detected in the capital.

The campaign is entering its final phase, with levels of uncertainty set to emerge as the hours pass. At least 3.3 million voters need to be added for Massa to win. Allegedly, the share of Bueno Aires province, which received 42 percent of the votes, will increase to 55 percent. To achieve this success, it needs to attract 1.3 million people in this huge and decisive region alone. Meanwhile, Milei wants to secure preferences that could bring him closer to victory in the provinces of Córdoba and Mendoza.

Regional impact

Just like the debate between the former Latin American progressive president and the former head of the Spanish government days ago, José Luis Rodríguez ZapateroHe came out in support of Massa, with former conservative regional leaders following suit by signing at the start of the debate. Mariano Rajoy and the enthusiastic support of author Mario Vargas Llosa. In a statement the far right said:He is undoubtedly a new candidate in politics, where we have many differences, but he believes in the ideas of freedom.