“Libertarian outsider Milei triumphs, defeating establishment, promises change in Argentina’s presidency.”
In a nation grappling with a staggering 140% inflation rate and 40% of its population living below the poverty line, the incumbent Economy Minister faced insurmountable odds in clinching a presidential election victory – a reality vividly demonstrated in Argentina. Enter Javier Milei, a libertarian outsider congressman and economist representing the Liberty Advances party, who secured a resounding win over the establishment’s candidate, Sergio Massa.
With 99.3% of the votes tallied, Milei commanded 55.7% against Massa’s 44.3%. Despite Massa securing the populous Buenos Aires province by a slim margin, Milei triumphed in Buenos Aires city itself and dominated in the northern provinces of Cordoba, Santa Fe, and Mendoza. Milei’s victory, while expected by some analysts due to his lead in pre-election polls, was a surprising turn considering his initial underperformance in the previous round, where he garnered only 30% of the vote against Massa’s nearly 37%.
The key to Milei’s triumph lay in consolidating support from former third-place candidate Patricia Bullrich’s voters, where polls indicated he could potentially win over 70-75% of her supporters. Additionally, Milei aimed to split the electorate of Juan Schiaretti, the fourth-place candidate, evenly with Massa. Remarkably, Milei not only met but exceeded these projections.
His victory highlighted the populace’s discontent with pervasive issues like inflation, poverty, insecurity, and corruption, which overshadowed Massa’s institutional advantages and strong political backing from the Peronist party. Despite relying on substantial state resources and the formidable Peronist political machinery, including widespread union support, Massa fell short in the face of widespread dissatisfaction.
Acknowledging defeat gracefully, Massa conceded at the Complejo Art Media in Buenos Aires, signaling Milei’s forthcoming responsibility for the nation’s economic challenges. Meanwhile, Milei’s supporters rallied near Avenida 9 de Julio, expressing their disillusionment with the political elite, particularly Vice President Cristina Kirchner.
President Alberto Fernandez’s absence from the scene for months raised speculation that Massa wielded considerable influence over major economic and political decisions. However, with a robust 76% voter turnout, Argentinians signaled their discontent with the long-standing dominance of the Peronist party in the country’s political landscape.
The election posed a fundamental choice: familiarity with the existing situation or taking a chance on an alternative. Despite reservations about Milei’s temperament, lack of governmental experience, and outspoken nature reminiscent of former President Trump, the nation’s 45 million citizens overwhelmingly favored change.
Milei’s campaign charisma and dramatic portrayal of himself as a lion challenging the “useless and parasitic” political class resonated, especially with the youth. Leveraging social media and interviews effectively, he garnered substantial support, while Massa relied more on traditional print media. Milei’s embrace of the Israeli flag and pledges to align with the United States and Israel garnered favor among Argentina’s significant Jewish community, the largest in Latin America.
Moreover, Milei secured backing from key figures like Bullrich and former President Macri, who have clashed with the entrenched Peronist elite in the past. However, despite this electoral victory, Milei faces an arduous path ahead. His Liberty Advances Party holds a minority presence in Congress compared to the dominant Peronist party, necessitating cooperation across political factions to achieve policy objectives.
While immediate and radical changes like dollarizing the economy or swiftly overhauling the Argentine Central Bank might not be feasible, Milei aims to articulate a vision of “liberal libertarianism” to both the Argentine populace and the global community. Armed with a sharp political acumen and a sense of humor, Milei gears up for the challenge of a lifetime as he steps into the role of leading the nation.
