Down, but not out: Two Argentine political veterans seek to thwart upstart firebrand

By DANIEL POLITI Associated Press
OCTOBER 17, 2023 — 11:42PM

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Economy Minister Sergio Massa and former Security Minister Patricia Bullrich adapted shrewdly over their combined seven decades in Argentine politics. It remains to be seen whether experience is an asset or a liability in what has already been an atypical presidential race.

Javier Milei, the mop-topped freshman lawmaker who leads most polls ahead of Sunday's vote, has railed against what he calls the political caste. He points to Massa and Bullrich as embodiments of an entrenched establishment and garnered the most votes in August primaries, sending shockwaves through the South American nation.

Massa and Bullrich convey themselves as safer bets to govern the crisis-engulfed country than the firebrand upstart who pledges to abolish the Central Bank, slash public spending and dollarize the economy. Most polls show Massa in second place and Bullrich third.

Polls have been notoriously unreliable, however. A few show Massa leading the first round and at least two show Bullrich ahead of him. Should Milei fail to secure outright victory on Oct. 22, the top two candidates will go to a November runoff.

More:
https://www.startribune.com/down-but-not-out-two-argentine-political-veterans-seek-to-thwart-upstart-firebrand/600313006/