In Argentina's impoverished barrios, Peronists are losing their grip

Argentine presidential candidates Sergio Massa, Patricia Bullrich and Javier Milei attend the presidential debate ahead of the October 22 general elections, at the University of Buenos Aires' Law School, Argentina October 8, 2023. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian/Pool/File Photo

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Simona Alegre, a 65-year-old widow, used to earn enough from her government pension to feed her six grandkids. But now Argentina's worst economic crisis in decades means the whole family is hungry, and it's making her rethink her vote for the leftist Peronists in Oct. 22 elections.

"Now look at how things are," said Alegre, a lifelong Peronist voter. "Before I cashed my pension and the kids could eat a yoghurt, a rice pudding. Now, nothing."