In a pivotal presidential debate in Argentina, the leftist candidate Sergio Massa and the libertarian candidate Javier Milei clashed over their divergent economic policies. Massa sought to expose inconsistencies in Milei’s proposals, particularly his plans to abolish the Central Bank and adopt dollarization as the country’s economic model.
Milei, caught off guard, reaffirmed his intentions but failed to provide detailed plans on how he would execute these measures. Evaluating their effectiveness, Massa compared Milei’s economic ideas to the policies implemented in Zimbabwe and Micronesia, potentially implying disastrous consequences.
The debate format allocated six minutes to each candidate per topic, allowing Massa to effectively manage his time and leaving Milei with limited response opportunities. As the candidates engaged in heated discussions, talking over each other, the moderators had to intervene to maintain order. Accusations of dishonesty flew back and forth between the candidates.
Shifting the focus to foreign relations, Massa questioned Milei’s critical stance on Brazil and China. Milei suggested resolving trade issues through third-party countries and downplayed the significance of maintaining close relations with Brazil. In contrast, Massa emphasized the importance of engaging in diplomatic trade negotiations.
Another debated topic was Milei’s respect for Pope Francis and his admiration for Margaret Thatcher, despite her controversial role in the Falklands War. This prompted discussions on their conflicting views and the impact of different historical events.
After an intense 50-minute debate, both candidates appeared more restrained in the final segments. Massa promised to prioritize job creation, while Milei accused the government of corruption. Seizing the opportunity, Massa invited Milei to substantiate his claims in a court of law, challenging him to provide concrete evidence.
In the closing remarks, Milei criticized the government’s pandemic restrictions, portraying them as excessive and detrimental to the economy. Massa, on the other hand, maintained a composed and focused demeanor, while Milei made sharp remarks to assert his views.
With polls prohibited in the week leading up to the election, the true impact of the debate on voter sentiment remains uncertain. The race between the candidates is tightly contested, with Milei currently holding a slight lead. Argentines will head to the polls for the runoff next Sunday, eagerly awaiting the inauguration on December 10.
