'An era of growth is coming' - Argentina's Macri appeals to voters at massive rally

Record ID: 1437696

  • Title: 'An era of growth is coming' - Argentina's Macri appeals to voters at massive rally
  • Date: 20th October 2019
  • Summary: MACRI ARRIVES ON STAGE ALONG WITH ARGENTINE FIRST LADY, JULIANA AWADA, AND VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, MIGUEL ANGEL PICHETTO VARIOUS OF CROWD WAVING FLAGS MACRI ON STAGE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ARGENTINE PRESIDENT, MAURICIO MACRI, SAYING: "This effort was worth it; today we're on better footing to grow because we solved structural problems. Today, we're standing on solid ground, that's why I say to you that an era of growth is coming, of more jobs, of better salaries, and of relief for all Argentines for all that we've already done. For all the work you've put in."
  • Embargoed: 3rd November 2019 02:37
  • Keywords: voting rally Argentine President Mauricio Macri campaign presidential elections Alberto Fernandez Cristina Fernandez vote crowd Kirchner
  • Location: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
  • City: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
  • Country: Argentina
  • Topics: Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
  • Reuters ID: LVA003B1WHO3R
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Argentine President Mauricio Macri called on voters to get behind him ahead of presidential elections next week, as he looks to defy the odds and rein in Peronist challenger Alberto Fernandez, who beat him heavily in a primary vote in August.
    Huge crowds gathered in the southern hemisphere spring sunshine in the center of Buenos Aires on Saturday (October 19), carrying Argentine flags and "yes we can" banners. The event was one of a series of Macri campaign rallies around the country.
    The strong turn-out underscores Macri's enduring popularity in the relatively affluent capital. But opinion polls indicate voters overall want to oust the center-right leader in the Oct. 27 vote after being hit hard by economic turmoil.
    Pollsters show center-left Fernandez some 20 percentage points ahead of Macri as the election looms, after he won by around 16 points in the primaries. A candidate needs 45% of the vote, or 40% plus a 10-point lead, to win outright in the first round.
    Macri called on voters to help him turn the election around and said all was not yet lost.
    Macri, who came to power in 2015 promising market reforms, open-door trade policies and strong investment, has been scuppered by a string of debt and currency crises that pulled the country into recession and sparked fears of default.
    Inflation is running at an annual rate of above 50%, the peso is one of the world's weakest currencies this year and domestic industries have been hurt by weak consumption. Over 35% of the population has sunk below the poverty line.
    (Production: Horacio Soria, Juan Bustamante)
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