The first round of Argentia’s presidential election on Sunday saw a surprise upset victory by left-wing Minister of Economy Sergio Massa over libertarian frontrunner Javier Milei. With both candidates falling short of the required margin of victory, a secondary runoff election has been scheduled for November, pitting Milei’s radical “Chainsaw Plan” against the man blamed for Argentina’s 140 percent inflation rate.
With 89 percent of the votes counted by Monday morning, Massa leads with 36.7 percent to Milei’s 30 percent. Former Security Minister Patricia Bullrich, who represents the center-right opposition party, acted as a spoiler to both, drawing 23.8 percent, with the remainder split between two additional candidates.
However, Argentine electoral law requires a candidate to draw at least 45 percent of the overall vote (or 40 percent with a 10-point margin of victory) to be declared the winner in the first round. With both Massa and Milei falling well short of the required total, a runoff election has been scheduled for November 19 to allow the two contenders to fight for the quarter of the population that backed Bullrich.
Learn the benefits of becoming a Valuetainment Member and subscribe today!
Since his victory in the open presidential primary in August, Javier Milei and the La Libertad Avanza (Liberty Advances) party have been carried by a growing wave of anti-establishment rage within the Argentinian population. Skyrocketing inflation, government mismanagement, and a bloated welfare system have combined to produce an economic catastrophe in the once-prosperous country. The nation’s currency has been rapidly devaluing for years, and an estimated 40 percent of Argentina’s 45 million citizens now live in poverty.
Milei, a staunch libertarian who is often labeled a “far-right populist,” has based his entire campaign around accountability and reform in the government. The 52-year-old former rock musician turned economist has focused his campaign on eliminating the Central Bank of Argentina and downsizing the bureaucracy in what he calls “taking a chainsaw to the system.”
Milei’s proposals include dollarizing Argentina—an effort that has led to criminal investigations against him—as well as opposing abortion, climate change activism, and gender ideology. In addition to drawing comparisons to former US President Donald Trump, Milei has also received the support of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro based on their shared criticism of the dictatorships in Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
(RELATED: Argentina’s Economic Catastrophe)
Across the aisle, leftist Economy Minister Sergio Massa represents the moderate wing of the establishment Peronist movement, which has held power for the last quarter-century. On his watch, the Argentinian economy has seen an inflationary surge of 140 percent, though his proponents argue that he merely inherited the crippled economy upon taking office in 2019. At the same time, a $44 billion loan program with the International Monetary Fund is dragging down the national economy and threatening an impending default.
Massa has presented himself as a moderate alternative to Milei’s radical proposals, drawing reluctant support from centrist voters concerned by the fiery libertarian’s platform. Massa has been endorsed by Current Vice President Cristina Kirchner, as well as Brazilian President Lula da Silva, whose own rivalry with former President Bolsonaro highlights the growing political divide across South America.
With just under a month until the runoff election, Argentina now faces a decision between radical anti-establishment ideology and an effort to maintain business as usual. The ultimate winner will take office in December.
Add comment