Right-wing populist Javier Milei wins presidency

Populist Javier Milei resoundingly won Argentina’s presidential election Sunday, swinging the country to the right following a fiercely polarized campaign inwhich he promised a dramatic shake-up to the state to deal with soaring inflation and rising poverty.

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

In the streets of Buenos Aires, drivers honked their horns andmany took to the streets to celebrate in several neighborhoods. Outsidemilei’s party headquarters, a hotel in downtown Buenos Aires, supporters were euphoric.

In his victory speech, the self-described anarchocapitalist who has been compared to former U. S. President Donald Trump said 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 told supporters, who chanted “liberty, liberty,” and “let themall leave” in a reference to the country’s political class.

Massa, of the ruling Peronist party, 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 said.

With a Milei victory, the country will shift rightward and a freshman lawmaker who got his start as a television talking head blasting what he called the “political caste” will assume the presidency.

Inf lation has soared above 140% and poverty has worsened while Massa has held his post. Milei has proposed to slash the size of the state and rein in inflation, while the government minister he was running againstwarned people about the negative impacts of such policies.

“This is a triumph that is less due to Milei and his peculiarities and particularities and more to the demand for change,” said Lucas Romero, the head of Synopsis, a local political consulting firm.

“What is being expressed at the polls is the weariness, the fatigue, the protest vote of the majority of Argentines.”

Massa’s campaign cautioned Argentines that his libertarian opponent’s plan to eliminate key ministries and otherwise sharply curtail the state would threaten public services, including health and education, and welfare programs many rely on. Massa also drew attention to his opponent’s often aggressive rhetoric and openly questioned hismental acuity; ahead of the first round, Milei sometimes carried a revving chain saw 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 (angry),” Andrei Roman, CEO of Brazil-based pollster Atlas Intel, said by phone. “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.”