Buenos Aires mayoral race goes to run-off

Macri aims to Kirchnerism: 'Results show voters don't like to be blackmailed'

Incumbent City Mayor, Mauricio Macri, gave a press conference with his running mate, María Eugenia Vidal, and in company of his cabinet to give impressions on yesterday’s mayoral elections and indicated to be "really surprised" with the large margin victory obtained in the first round, and considered the result “a good example of the voters’ independency, and how citizens can surprise with their decisions.”         

Likewise, Macri remarked that now he feels the relation with the neighbours of Buenos Aires City "got even closer as the great elections we did are the result of all we’ve done in the City so far. The citizens demonstrated that they are pleased with our administration.”

Asked if the elections can be considered as a rejection to the national government model, Macri said “Well, it seems that there is a share of the voters that do not like to be blackmailed.”

Furthermore, Macri spiced up the talk and kept charging against the national government, “You can’t tell the people what to do and how to think. You can't make people believe that there is one way only to do things and to see reality”, and added, “To believe strongly in something, does not mean that one has to run over the rest of the people and their beliefs. Yesterday’s elections showed that more than 70 percent of the registered voters within the City of Buenos Aires are disappointed with the national government.”

Furthermore, Macri said “not to understand” those who refer to a possible City reelection as a consolation prize, after he dropped out from next October’s presidential elections.

Buenos Aires is one of the most important cities in the world. It is a privilege for me to be the Mayor of this wonderful city. I do not understand those who call the mayoral post a consolation prize.”

Asked about his presidential chances for 2015, the incumbent City Mayor remarked “I’m here to work for the City and I have no rush to know what’s going to happen in the 2015 presidential elections.”

Back to the July 31 runoff, Macri aimed his darts to Daniel Filmus as he expressed that “they [Kirchnerism] must now double their efforts”, and also thanked the citizens of the City “for their wonderful vote of confidence.”

To conclude, the Business tycoon assured that “heading a runoff with a 20-point lead gives me great peace and calm.”

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