MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Santa Fe will host Argentina's first 2019 presidential debate

Last time out, there was one debate held before the election, featuring the main candidates, and then another after between Mauricio Macri and Daniel Scioli, prior to the run-off.

Argentina's first presidential debate of the 2019 election will take place in Santa Fe province, the Noticias news magazine confirmed on Tuesday. The event will be held at the auditorium of the National University of the Littoral (Universidad Nacional del Litoral), in Santa Fe City, after the PASOs.

In 2015 there were two televised debates – the first in Argentina's history – but this will be the first time the debates will be set up under Law 27.337, which was passed in November 2016 to regulate mandatory pre-election public debates featuring the candidates for president, in order to raise awareness of their electoral platforms.

The first round of the Argentine presidential election is scheduled for 27 October and according to the new legislation the second of the debates has to be held seven days before Election Day and the first one twenty days before.

Last time out, there was one debate held before the election, featuring the main candidates, and then another after between hopefuls Mauricio Macri and Daniel Scioli, prior to the run-off.

“We have good news to share with the people of Santa Fe,” said local mayor and candidate for governor, José Corral, of the ruling Cambiemos coalition. “It is a source of pride. For the first time, the obligatory debate is going to take place under law and it is going to be done here.”

Corral also commented that it would be the first “in the interior” of the country.

“Santa Fe ran and was chosen by the Electoral Tribunal,” he added. “It is a huge source of joy for us. We will prepare ourselves with the authorities of the university to receive everyone.”

The auditorium at the University of Litoral carries symbolic weight in Argentina's history. It was there that the reform of the National Constitution was finally approved in 1994. In addition, the university will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding on October 17 later this year.