The debate took place at a time when polls do not point to a clear winner.
The citizens of the third economy in Latin America will have to choose on November 19 between two completely opposite country projects, with the official candidate and current Minister of Economy, Sergio Massa, defending the peso and the ultra-liberal Javier Milei, who expressed his intention to dollarize and eliminate the Central Bank (BCRA).
“Argentines have to choose who has the temperance, the mental balance and the contact with reality to be able to take Argentina forward,” said Massa, a centrist Peronist who made an effort to show serenity while insisting on the importance that both applicants undergo a psychotechnical test.
In turn, Milei, an economist who proclaims himself an anarcho-capitalist, attacked Massa by defining him as part of the “corrupt and stupid (thief) caste” and asserted that “his political brand has been in power for 16 years.”
The caste “is made up of thieving politicians. You have them all with you, they are the Kirchnerists. Another component is the prebendary businessmen, the vast majority are your friends or you have business with them,” said Milei de Massa in the latter debate in the auditorium of the Faculty of Law of the University of Buenos Aires.
A debate that can tip the balance
The two candidates sought to convince the undecided sector before the second presidential round on November 19, which is predicted to be close and in which many voters feel that they will opt for the lesser evil in the midst of a serious economic crisis with annualized inflation of 140%. and 40% poverty.
In the first round on October 22, Massa came first with almost 37% of the votes and Milei second with 30%. The third candidate, Patricia Bullrich, who obtained 24%, asked her followers to support the libertarian in the runoff.