Argentina Elects A New President
Far-right outsider Javier Milei has won Argentina’s presidential run-off poll, beating economy minister Sergio Massa to become the new president.
With around 90% of the count finalised last night, Milei had nearly 56% of the vote and Massa only 44%, which led to the latter calling his rival to concede.
Milei’s win has surprised pollsters as he easily defeated the Peronists government candidate by more than 10 points. His proposals, which included “blowing up” the central bank, seem to have won support with voters desperate for change in the country.
The election has come following a difficult time for Argentina with inflation now over 140%, the economy in crisis, and two of every five citizens living in poverty.
In his victory speech in Buenos Aires, Milei said: “Today begins the reconstruction of Argentina. Today begins the end of Argentina’s decline. The model of decadence has come to an end. There is no way back”.
“Argentina will return to its place in the world that it should never have lost. We are going to work shoulder-to-shoulder with all nations of the free world, to help build a better world.”
Former US President Trump congratulated Milei on his victory, saying that he would “Make Argentina Great Again!”.
