Fiery right-wing populist Javier Milei wins Argentina’s presidency and guarantees ‘drastic’ adjustments

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Populist Javier Milei resoundingly received Argentina‘s presidential election Sunday, swinging the country to the right following a fiercely polarized campaign in which he promised a dramatic shake-up to the state to deal with soaring inflation and rising poverty.

With 99.4% of votes tallied in the presidential runoff, Milei had 55.7% and Economy Minister Sergio Massa 44.3%, according to Argentina‘s electoral authority. It is the widest victory margin in a presidential race since the South American country’s return to democracy in 1983.

In the streets of Buenos Aires, drivers honked their horns and lots of took to the streets to rejoice in a number of neighborhoods. Outside Milei’s celebration headquarters, a resort in downtown Buenos Aires, a full-on celebration kicked off with supporters singing, shopping for beers from distributors and setting off coloured smoke bombs. They waved Argentine flags and the yellow Gadsden flag, emblazoned with the phrases “Don’t Tread On Me,” which Milei’s motion has adopted.

Inside, the self-described anarcho-capitalist who has been in comparison with former U.S. President Donald Trump, delivered his victory speech, saying the “reconstruction of Argentina begins today.”

“Argentina’s situation is critical. The changes our country needs are drastic. There is no room for gradualism, no room for lukewarm measures,” Milei informed supporters, who chanted “Liberty, liberty!” and “Let them all leave” in a reference to the nation’s political class.

Massa of the ruling Peronist celebration had already conceded defeat, saying Argentines “chose another path.”

“Starting tomorrow … guaranteeing the political, social and economic functions is the responsibility of the new president. I hope he does,” Massa mentioned.

With a Milei victory, the nation will take an abrupt shift rightward and a freshman lawmaker who obtained his begin as a tv speaking head blasting what he referred to as the “political caste” will assume the presidency.

Inflation has soared above 140% and poverty has worsened whereas Massa has held his submit. Milei has mentioned he would slash the scale of the federal government, dollarize the financial system and remove the Central Bank as a method to sort out galloping inflation that he blames on successive governments printing cash indiscriminately with the intention to fund public spending. He additionally espouses a number of conservative social insurance policies, together with an opposition to intercourse training in faculties and abortion, which Argentina’s Congress legalized in 2020.

“This is a triumph that is less due to Milei and his peculiarities and particularities and more to the demand for change,” mentioned Lucas Romero, the pinnacle of Synopsis, an area political consulting agency. “What is being expressed at the polls is the weariness, the fatigue, the protest vote of the majority of Argentines.”

Massa’s marketing campaign cautioned Argentines that his libertarian opponent’s plan to remove key ministries and in any other case sharply curtail the state would threaten public companies, together with well being and training, and welfare packages many depend on. Massa additionally drew consideration to his opponent’s typically aggressive rhetoric and overtly questioned his psychological acuity; forward of the primary spherical, Milei generally carried a revving chainsaw at rallies.

“There were lot of voters that weren’t convinced to vote Milei, who would vote no or blank. But come the day of the vote, they voted for Milei because they’re all pissed off,” Andrei Roman, CEO of Brazil-based pollster Atlas Intel, mentioned by telephone. “Everyone talked about the fear of Milei winning. I think this was a fear of Massa winning and economy continuing the way it is, inflation and all that.”

Milei accused Massa and his allies of operating a “campaign of fear” and he walked again a few of his most controversial proposals, equivalent to loosening gun management. In his last marketing campaign advert, Milei seems on the digicam and assures voters he has no plans to denationalise training or well being care.

Milei’s screeds resonated extensively with Argentines angered by their wrestle to make ends meet, significantly younger males.

“Incredibly happy, ecstatic, it’s a global historical phenomenon!” Luca Rodríguez, a 20-year-old regulation pupil, mentioned outdoors Milei’s headquarters after spraying a bottle of champagne into the air onto these round him, who squealed with glee. “I want to break free from this ridiculous elite that takes away all our rights, all the tax money that pressures us and doesn’t let us live in peace.”

Two Milei supporters within the raucous crowd have been 32-year-old an identical twins, each wearing matching gray tank tops with Argentine flags draped over their shoulders.

“We want a change, we want everything to improve,” Amilcar Rollo mentioned beside his brother, Gabriel. “It’s the hope for something new from someone who hasn’t been there and has different ideas. Otherwise, it’s just the same as always.”

Most pre-election polls, which have been notoriously fallacious at each step of this yr’s marketing campaign, confirmed a statistical tie between the 2 candidates or Milei barely forward.

Underscoring the bitter division this marketing campaign has dropped at the fore, Milei obtained each jeers and cheers on Friday night time on the legendary Colón Theater in Buenos Aires.

The acrimony was additionally evident Sunday when Milei’s operating mate, Victoria Villaruel, went to vote and was met by protesters offended at her claims that the variety of victims from Argentina‘s bloody 1976-1983 military dictatorship is far below what human rights organizations have long claimed, among other controversial positions.

The vote took place amid Milei’s allegations of potential electoral fraud, harking back to these from Trump and former far-right Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Without offering proof, Milei claimed that the primary spherical of the presidential election was affected by irregularities that affected the consequence. Experts say such irregularities can not swing an election, and that his assertions have been partly geared toward firing up his base and motivating his supporters to develop into displays of voting stations. Many have expressed issues they undermine democratic norms.

Both Bolsonaro and Trump congratulated Milei on social media.

“The whole world was watching! I am very proud of you,” Trump wrote on his platform, Truth Social. “You will turn your Country around and truly Make Argentina Great Again!”

And posting on X, previously Twitter, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken additionally recommended Milei.

“We look forward to continuing bilateral cooperation based on shared values and interests,” Blinken wrote.