- Title: Macri ticket hopes for miracle in upcoming vote
- Date: 24th October 2019
- Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C., USA (FILE - MAY 10, 2018) (REUTERS) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** IMF CHIEF CRISTINE LAGARDE MEETING WITH ARGENTINA'S NICOLAS DUJOVNE AT THE IMF OFFICE
- Embargoed: 7th November 2019 14:19
- Keywords: Argentina vote President Mauricio Macri incumbent economy crisis
- Location: BUENOS AIRES AND MORENO, ARGENTINA AND WASHINGTON, DC, USA
- City: BUENOS AIRES AND MORENO, ARGENTINA AND WASHINGTON, DC, USA
- Country: Argentina
- Topics: Government/Politics,Elections/Voting,Editors' Choice
- Reuters ID: LVA009B2GJLMV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Argentines head to the polls on Sunday (October 27) with the Peronist opposition strong favorites to take back the presidency from business-friendly reformer.
Mauricio Macri, who has been stung by a tumbling economy and swirling financial crises.
In cities around the South American grain producer, poll stations will open at 0800 for the Oct. 27 vote, with centre-left Alberto Fernandez holding a seemingly unassailable 20-point lead in most polls. He soundly beat Macri in an August primary.
Macri swept to power in 2015 pledging to modernize and reform Latin America's no. 3 economy, give markets a freer rein and open the doors to more liberal global trade.
In some aspects he has succeeded: he helped strike trade deals for the regional Mercosur bloc with Europe, forged closer ties with global investors and helped ramp up the country's energy sector after years in the doldrums.
However, crisis struck in 2018, forcing him to go hat-in-hand to the International Monetary Fund for a $57 billion loan, the biggest ever from the lender. He's struggled to recover since, with high inflation, almost constant recession and a plunging peso hurting his support with voters across the board.
He had, however, appeared to be making something of a comeback earlier as economic woes appeared to ease and struck an import alliance with influential Peronist Miguel Angel Pichetto, his running mate, to broaden his appeal.
Voters around the vibrant port city Buenos Aires, at the heart of a populous region that has almost 40% of the total electorate, pointed to rising poverty - now above 35% - and a squeeze on working and middle-class families from inflation.
Plenty in the relatively wealthy city, which has generally favoured Macri, said they would stick by the president, despite the economic woes. Macri held a march in the city last week, attracting huge crowds as he looked to win back "angry" voters.
However, even amongst his supporters many were less than enthusiastic - a sign of how far the business magnate-turned-politician has fallen since his win four years ago, when he was the outsider breath of fresh air.
In order to win the presidency in the first round, a candidate needs at least 45% of the vote or 40% and 10-point lead over the second place runner. If there's no clear winner, voters will return for a run-off on Nov. 24.
(Production: Juan Bustamante, Horacio Soria) - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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