Fragmented field means little debate in City debate

Candidates for the upcoming elections for Buenos Aires City Legislature clashed in a televised primetime debate on Tuesday, though there was little in the way of proposals and more in the way of insults. 

Those heading their respective party lists, invited to the encounter broadcast by Canal de la Ciudad, laid out their main points in a brief opening statement before taking questions from some of their rivals and being given the chance to respond. 

La Libertad Avanza candidate Manuel Adorni – who in his day job is President Javier Milei’s presidential spokesman – attacked those from the left and the main Peronist candidate, Leandro Santoro, while standing up for the government’s record.

Catching the eye with his opening remarks was former football manager Ricardo Caruso Lombardi, who broke the ice by referencing the recent sacking of Boca Juniors coach Fernando Gago earlier in the day.

“This is all about results. If not, ask Gago … football is like politics — if you talk too much and don’t deliver, it’s useless. That’s why I’m asking people for their vote,” declared Caruso Lombardi, who is running for the Movimiento de Integración y Desarrollo (MID).

When it came to policy proposals, each candidate stuck firmly to their script: Adorni positioned himself firmly against Kirchnerism and called for votes for LLA on that basis. 

“Sooner or later Kirchnerism is going to win the elections. The only way to stop that is by taking Milei’s model to every corner of the country,” declared Adorni, who even told the debate’s hosts that he wanted to shutter the channel broadcasting the event.

In his time, Adorni’s former party colleague, the excommunicated libertarian Ramiro Marra (now with UCeDé), took aim at “losers,” the homeless, illegal parking attendants and people scavenging through bins.

Leaning more centrist, PRO’s Silvia Lospennato waved the flag for “Ficha Limpia” anti-corruption bill, while former mayor Horacio Rodríguez Larreta reiterated his desire to restore the capital and retake control of City Hall.

One recurring topic was the Covid-19 pandemic, with anti-Peronist candidates using the opportunity to link Santoro to the national government of former president Alberto Fernández, who preceded Milei in office. 

Santoro took several hits over his friendship with the former head of state, while taking unfriendly fire from fellow Peronist rival Juan Manuel Abal Medina, running for Seamos Libres.

There was also disappointment from candidates who have performed well on social media but faltered behind a podium, such as Alejandro Kim of the Principios y Valores party, led by Guillermo Moreno.

Left-wing candidates mostly focused their criticism on the mainstream parties for failing to back weekly pensioners’ marches.

– TIMES/NA