MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Scioli continues ahead in polls despite having missed the presidential debate

28% said that Scioli's absence “made them more inclined to vote for him”, while 44% declared that the debate had no influence on their vote decision.

Argentine incumbent candidate absence from Sunday's presidential debate has not altered the electoral landscape for next 25 October, according to the latest public opinion polls released in Buenos Aires. On Sunday night Daniel Scioli did not show up to the debate with all presidential contenders, particularly Mauricio Macri and Sergio Massa, the two closest challengers.

 In effect a Gonzalez & Valladares poll showed that 21% of interviews said they were less inclined to vote for Scioli, the Victory Front candidate of the ruling coalition. However 28% said that Scioli's absence “made them more inclined to vote for him”, while 44% declared that the debate had no influence on their vote decision.

Among the 800 interviews polled, 59% said the Sunday debate was no reference for their vote intention, while 31% admitted it had an influence.

The G&V poll final results indicate that Scioli is still ahead with a vote intention of 35.4% followed by Sergio Massa, 26.3% and Macri, 25.3%. Three other hopefuls together make 12%.

Another review, Polldata indicates that despite Scioli's absence, his followers continue strongly behind him. But conservative Buenos Aires mayor Macri faces some difficulties since supporters were disappointed with his Sunday' performance, and some doubts have arisen.

Although 70.5% consider 'quite serious' that Scioli did not attend the debate, the percentage drops to 23% among his supporters and jumps to 80% among opposition candidates Macri and Massa followers.

Following the debate when asked specifically about changing their vote, one third replied affirmatively, but those supporting Scioli were the most faithful while Macri followers were more labile and Massa's voters also remained solid on average.

As to performance on Sunday's debate, 33.7% said Massa was the best, followed by 26.3% for Macri and 18% for Margarita Stolbizer.

A clear majority of Massa followers, 86% believe he had the best performance in the debate, while 76% said something similar but for their candidate Ms Stolbizer. However only six out of ten Macri followers felt he did the best job.

As to the presidential debate's repercussion, the poll shows that about half the Argentine viewers admitted following the exchange among candidates. The highest interest was in Buenos Aires City and Buenos Aires province, with a preponderance of male viewers and interest directly proportional to education background. That is the rating was far lower in the rest of Argentina and in the lesser educated strata.