Telesur.png Scioli in Argentina Presidential Debate: Neoliberalism Hurts Poll will be on 22 November 2015 Telesur, Venezuela, 15 November 2015 Argentina's two presidential candidates have butted heads over the economy in a fierce televised debate. Argentina's two presidential hopefuls progressive Daniel Scioli and neoliberal Mauricio Macri squared off Sunday night in a key debate ahead of a runoff vote. Scioli and Macri.jpg Scioli (left) and Macri (right) The debate was dominated by a fierce exchange over the economy. Scioli, supported by current president Cristina Kirchner, has advocated for a continuation of the economic policies of Fernandez, which include improved welfare and social investment. Macri has called for Argentina to shift towards neoliberalism. Macri argued his economic platform would boost job creation, particularly for young people. "Our economic objective is an Argentina with no poverty . And our goal is to grow," he said. Scioli hit back by arguing Macri's ideas are a "danger for society." "Who will pay the costs of the economic adjustments which you are proposing?" he said, arguing neoliberalism would hurt Argentina's poor. He argued instead for greater government action to reduce consumer prices domestically, and internationally for a tough line against the International Monetary Fund and the so-called Vulture Funds. "There is a triangle of progress: businesspeople, the workers and our government proposals and a triangle of regression: the vulture funds, the IMF, and your proposals," he said. On domestic development Macri vowed to invest heavily in improving Argentina's transport system, including by improving inter provincial highways. "I want to connect the north of the country with the south, connecting the ports. And I want to give all of the Argentinians the opportunity of progress," he said. Scioli responded by accusing Macri of copying his policies. "What did Macri do? Copy and paste," he said. The leftist candidate continued by outlining an ambitious economic plan, including producing 2 million new jobs over the next decade, eliminating poverty and encouraging more international investment in Argentina. Macri has long argued for reduced taxes and rolling back the government's social programs. After discussing the economy, the two candidates moved to education and poverty. "I am a defender of public education. Now we need to continue by improving quality," Scioli said, before going on the offensive by accusing Macri of failing to reduce infant mortality as mayor of Buenos Aires. "Macri, how can you justify the increased rate of infant mortality in Buenos Aires? You have not been able to defeat poverty," he said. "Infant mortality is the same it has always been," Macri responded. Official figures suggest infant mortality rates in the capital rose in 2013 - bucking a nationwide trend of falling infant mortality rates. Security On national security, Scioli touted his plan to create a new federal agency to crack down on the drug trade. "You have to deal with security with policies of prevention; more human resources, logistics, and prevention policies," Scioli said. He continued, "The fight against insecurity is a priority for a president and a governor." Macri has also placed drug trafficking as a priority during his campaign, saying that if elected, defeating narco-trafficking would be one of his three top challenges. He has also spoken in favor of shooting down planes suspected of carrying illegal drugs. "We aren't living in the Argentina we want," Macri said, lashing out at the Fernandez government's handling of national security in recent years. He accused the leftist government of failing to take serious action against organized crime, particularly drug smugglers. Scioli responded by defending the government's record, and hit back at Macri by stating, "It's easy to talk about the fight against drugs." "Drug trafficking is a problem of public security. Drug addiction is a problem of public health . The fight against drugs has to unite us all," he said. Macri Anti-Venezuela On international relations the two candidates again butted heads, after Macri called for action against Venezuela, a key ally of the Fernandez government. "If I am elected, I will ask for the suspension of Venezuela," he said, without specifying what he would like to suspend Venezuela from. Scioli dismissed the proposal, stating he remains willing to work with all countries in the region. "I have met with all the presidents of the region," he said. Closing Comments In the closing comments, Macri delivered an upbeat message stating Argentina is "about to begin a marvellous stage." "You need a president that speaks less and listens more. That knows that it's about the team and not the individuals," he said. "We can't give up . we need to grow, progress, and live better. So I ask you to join us on November 22," he said in a plea to voters. In his own closing speech, Scioli said Argentina will have a choice in the November 22 vote between "development" and "returning to our knees." "We can remove the (consumer) subsidies and we return to the logic of the market . we can again be dominated by the structural adjustment policies of the IMF," he said. "Or, we can be empowered with Argentine pride," he said. A Tight Race Ahead Argentina will go to the polls on November 22 in what is expected to be a tight presidential election. Government-supported Scioli is proposing to mostly continue the left-wing politics of Fernandez, but not "Kirchnerismo" - as the government policies developed by Fernandez and her late husband Nestor Kirchner have come to be known, while business-backed Macri is proposing a return to right-wing neoliberal policies. In the first round of voting in October, Scioli and Macri finished head to head, with 36.9 percent of the vote and 34.3 percent respectively. The tight race forced a runoff, an unusual affair in Argentine politics. The last time there was a runoff between candidates in Argentina was in 1973. From: http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Argentina-Presidential-Debate-Pits-Lef t-vs-Right-on-Economics-20151115-0022.html -- -- You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. 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