Argentina Elects Javier Milei as its Next President

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Issue Nov 15-30 2023: On November 19, 2023, Argentines voted in a run-off election for president between the Peronista Minister of Economy, Sergio Massa, and the flamboyant Javier Milei, candidate of Libertad Avanza, a newly formed “Libertarian” party. The contest took place in an atmosphere of intense agitation over Argentina’s high rate of inflation. What is more, Argentines were torn between feelings of anger and frustration towards the traditional rightwing and left-leaning coalitions, represented in this election by Massa, and fear of Milei’s potentially disruptive and extreme proposals. Yet Massa, as both the candidate of the ruling Frente de Todos coalition, recently renamed the Unión Por la Patria, and as the point-man on the government’s economic policy, found himself in an awkward and untenable position. He received 44% of the vote, crushed by Milei’s 55% showing. Milei, however, will not command a legislative majority. Political commentators across the region crowded in to have their say.

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