The opposition in Argentina is expressing growing confidence that President Mauricio Macri will not secure a second term in office when Argentines go to the polls in October for general and presidential elections.
Dissident Peronist leader and presidential hopeful Sergio Massa on Monday called on the head of state to put his "vanity" to the side and "sit down at the same table" with opposition forces to find solutions to Argentina's economic and social crises.
On Twitter, he event went as far as to call on Macri to "engage with Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, as the leader of the opposition with most seats in parliament" to find "a way to end his mandate without further damaging Argentina".
"We have to defend the middle class. Defend it so it can get organised and think in the medium and long term with public policies that will see Argentina become more than just a variable in austerity. The arrogance and lack of responsibility on Macri's part do not allow him to see clearly his own failure and that of his government", Massa charged.
"At this rate, we could end up even worse. We cannot lose time to save Argentina from this crisis", he urged.
Macri should make "exceptional measures" including negotiating with Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.
"A patriotic and sane president would call on his main adversary and find agreement, as well as with governors and the rest of the opposition, to stop this crisis becoming a disaster. It is what Argentina awaits and needs", he insisted.
Earlier in the day, Massa told journalists during a press conference that Argentina's current economic crisis is causing "worry, anguish and fear mong the majority of Argentines".
"It seems that the government is not accepting that it failed along the way", Massa said.
"I want to be president. I believe I have the necessary team of people but I understand that it's not yet time, it's not time to discuss candidacies", he concluded.
Massa will compete against fellow presidential hopeful, Salta Governor Juan Manuel Urtubey, in a primaries race which will determine the final candidate for their coalition, Federal Argentina.
However, former Economy minister Roberto Lavagna could throw a spanner in the works. Lavagna, who polls well, has said he would not run in a primaries race, instead wanting a direct path to the coalition's candidacy.
-TIMES/PERFIL
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