Right-wing candidate Javier Millay was elected president

Far-right candidate Javier Milei won the second round of Argentina’s presidential election on Sunday, November 19, after a tense and indecisive campaign unlike any in four decades of democracy. His rival, Sergio Massa, conceded defeat.

After more than 86% of the votes were counted, according to preliminary partial results reported by the General Secretariat of the President, Javier Mille received 55.95% of the votes against Sergio Massa’s 44.05%.

Javier Mili, 53 years old, “A majority-elected president in Argentina for the next four years”, who came first in the first round on October 22, the current Minister of Economy, Mr. Masa declared. Shortly before the partial official results were announced, he told supporters gathered at his campaign headquarters in Buenos Aires that he called Javier Mili. “Congratulate him and wish him well”.

According to estimates, about 10% held the key to deciding between Massa, who had 37% of the vote in the first round, and Mili (30%).

Polling stations closed at 6 pm with a voter turnout of 76%. Some 36 million Argentines were asked to decide between two diametrically opposed future plans.

On the one hand, Sergio Massa, 51, was the economy minister of a Peronist administration (left of center) for sixteen months, from which he gradually withdrew. This seasoned politician had made a promise “Government of National Unity” and gradual economic recovery, preserving the welfare state, important in Argentine culture.

A climate debater

Opposite him, Javier Millay, 53, a far-right economist, describes himself this way “Anarcho Capitalism”. This TV debater entered politics only two years ago. Decided to remove the said force “caste parasite”, He asserts himself “cut off” I am“Enemy Government” and dollarizing the economy. The new Argentine president is also an outspoken climate skeptic, to whom climate change is a “bicycle”Not man’s responsibility.

Latin America’s third largest economy is going through difficult times, with chronic inflation, now triple digits (143 in a year), four out of ten Argentines below the poverty line, worrying debt and a weak currency. Argentinians are fed up with rising prices month after month, even week after week, even as wages fall. The minimum wage is 146,000 pesos ($400). Rent is out of reach for many, and many mothers resort to bartering Gran crisis Very shocking in 2001. According to a study by the University of Buenos Aires published at the beginning of the year, 68% of young people aged 18 to 29 would emigrate if they could.

The country is under pressure from the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) budget restructuring objectives, with Argentina painfully repaying a massive debt of $44 billion issued in 2018.

Incentives of Fraud

Javier Milei magnetized a vote “anger” (angry), but his rhetoric, his desire or his plan to dry up public spending in a country where 51% of Argentines receive social assistance. “Deregulate the Gun Market” And they were afraid. Candidate too “Anti-establishment” He lowered his voice between two turns. Fewer looks, less clarity and one message: “Vote without fear because fear is paralyzing and beneficial to the status quo. »

Adding to the surrounding tension, Miley’s camp has filtered out hints of fraud in recent weeks, with no complaints filed. “Beware of the worst examples [Donald] Trump and D [Jair] Bolsonaro » Who advertised such messages, or “Disagree with the results”Sergio Massa warned.

Mr. Miley was greeted in tears at her polling station on Sunday “Freedom, freedom!” “, He had promised that his camp “Good, very peaceful, despite the fear mongering” against him. Mr. Massa, for his part, called on Argentina to vote “Reflection, Peace, Peace”and with “faith”. They made another choice.