Scioli Warns of Neoliberal Threat as Argentine Campaign Closes

​Daniel Scioli, representing the ruling Front for Victory in the upcoming presidential elections, officially closed his campaign Thursday promising that his government would give priority to the “most humble, the workers, and the middle class.”    

“The choice is clear, this Sunday two projects face off: one liberal, an expression of unbridled capitalism of this new reconstituted alliance, and our project, which since the founding principles of the Peronist movement looks to the future," said Scioli, referring to one of Argentina’s oldest and influential grassroots movements during a mass rally in the city of La Matanza.    

Scioli will face opposition contender Mauricio Macri during a run-off election this Sunday. Macri is hoping to end 12 years of progressive governments in Argentina, first under the late Nestor Kirchner and then his wife Cristina Fernandez, who cannot seek a third term.    

"We are the symbol of social justice and we will defend the achievements of these past years," added Scioli.    

Meanwhile, Macri closed his campaign in the city of Humahuaca with a speech emphasizing the theme of change, which has underpinned his entire candidacy.    

Scioli has criticized Macri, the current mayor of Buenos Aires, for hiding a neoliberal agenda behind the rhetoric of change.

“Today the country is facing this threat and deception that hides behind the word change, they no longer know how to cover up what's coming,” warned Scioli.    

​Sunday's elections will also have regional implications, as a defeat of the so-called “pink tide” in Latin America, that saw a string of leftist and revolutionary governments elected over the past decade and a half could signal major changes for governments nearby.    

A group of Latin American intellectuals, political officials as well as leaders from various social movements warned that a victory for conservative candidate Mauricio Macri could potentially undermine the recent progress that has redefined the economic and political landscape of the region.

During the first round on Oct. 25, Scioli won 36.86 percent support, while opposition candidate Mauricio Macri, came in second with 34.3 percent of voters support.