Progressive candidate Javier Milei has just won the final round of Argentina's presidential election.
With nearly 99% of the votes counted in the November 19 election, the 53-year-old far-right economist with no managerial experience won nearly 56% of the vote, defeating his opponent, Sergio Massa, the center-left economy minister.
Voters in this nation of 46 million people demanded a drastic change from a government that has caused the peso to collapse, inflation to soar and left more than 40% of the population in poverty. With Milei elected, the direction of South America's No. 2 economy is uncertain.
Javier Milei with his sister and campaign manager, Karina Milei, at the victory rally in Buenos Aires, November 19, 2023. Photo: NY Times
Even before the official results were announced on the evening of November 19, Mr. Massa admitted defeat and congratulated Mr. Milei on his victory.
“The Argentine people have chosen a different path,” Mr. Massa said, adding that he had called Mr. Milei to congratulate him on his victory and that he would withdraw from frontline politics.
“Obviously this is not the result we expected, but I called Javier Milei to congratulate him because he is the president that the majority of Argentines chose for the next four years,” added Mr. Massa, a member of the center-left coalition that has led the South American country for 16 of the past 20 years.
Mr Milei will be sworn in as Argentina’s president on December 10. Calling his victory a “miracle”, he told supporters at his campaign headquarters in Buenos Aires: “Today the reconstruction of Argentina begins. Today is a historic night for Argentina.”
The far-right politician has promised “dramatic changes” to address Argentina’s “tragic reality” of soaring inflation and widespread poverty. During his campaign, the Argentine politician – who is said to be a fan of former US President Donald Trump – vowed to abolish the central bank and dollarize the economy to overcome a financial disaster that has left nearly half the population in poverty and driven inflation to more than 140%.
Supporters of Mr. Milei celebrate in Buenos Aires, November 19, 2023. Photo: NY Times
In his victory speech, Mr. Milei also sent a message to the international community: "On the world stage, Argentina will return to a position that this country should never have lost."
Following Mr Milei's victory, prominent politicians from the global far right, including former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and Mr Trump, were quick to send their congratulations.
Mr Bolsonaro has endorsed Mr Milei’s campaign and has promised to attend the inauguration of the new Argentine president. “Hope shines again in South America,” Mr Bolsonaro tweeted, hailing what he called a victory for “honesty, progress and freedom.”
Former US President Trump wrote: “The whole world is watching! I am so proud of you. You will turn your country around and truly make Argentina great again . ”
Minh Duc (According to The Guardian, Washington Post)
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