Current Minister of Economy, Sergio Massacentre-left Peronist and libertarian economist Javier Milei They will face each other in the second round of the Argentine presidency on November 19, according to the results announced on Sunday.
(Our recommendation: Sergio Massa, the ruling party candidate who advanced to the second round in Argentina)
Massa, a 51-year-old lawyer and candidate for the Unión por la Patria coalition, received 30.03 percent of the votes, based on 97.40 percent of the tabulations, against La Libertad Avanza’s Milei, who received 36.61 percent of the votes. It was revealed at the time of going to press.
(You can read: Javier Milei, the anti-system candidate who reached the second round in Argentina)
Behind him was conservative Patricia Bullrich, whose Together for Change candidate received 23.84 percent support; Opposition Peronist Juan Schiaretti received 6.81 percent of the votes, and left candidate Myriam Bregman received 2.69 percent.
Trumpets and drums could be heard around the Unión por la Patria operational command this Sunday night. About two thousand supporters, including militants, trade unionists and members of social organisations, gathered outside and chanted “Massa president!” yell.
(For context: Argentina elects president to address its worst economic crisis in years)
Today, Massa is the main figure in the Argentine government headed by Alberto Fernández and Cristina Kirchner. To continue serving as minister with the idea that “campaign is management”.
His victory was the big surprise of the day, according to analysts; he flipped the polls, comfortably won the first round of the presidential election and became the virtual leader of Peronism, unseating Cristina Kirchner from that position.
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“We are ready to establish the best government in history”While voting this Sunday, Milei announced that she would also be 53 years old.
(We describe the first round as follows: Argentine Elections: Massa surprises and goes to the second round with Milei)
According to political analyst and consultant Raúl Timerman, Milei frightened a segment of the electorate with his extremist proposals and failed to increase his vote compared to the August primaries, when he came in first place with 30 percent.
Milei proposes dollarizing the economy, “dynamiting” the Central Bank, drastically reducing public spending, eliminating the Ministry of Women, and repealing the abortion law, among other proposals.
“The chainsaw, which at first seemed funny (which he displayed as a symbol of the cuts he planned to perform), became a frightening element,” Timerman explained.
(You can read: ‘We have the opportunity to have a homeland again’: Milei at the end of the campaign in Argentina)
On the other hand, the expert adds that Massa “is perceived as the most capable person who can govern the country in the chaotic environment it is experiencing.”
Adding to this analysis, Control Risks analyst Marina Pera from Argentina explains: “The abolition of income tax, bonuses for the unemployed, among other measures that (Massa) has promoted in recent weeks as Minister of Economy, are likely to appeal to certain voters, especially the lower classes.”
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Turnout in the Argentine elections closed this Sunday at 77.67 percent, which, according to official sources, was the second worst turnout since the return to democracy after the dictatorship (1976-1983).
The general elections with the lowest turnout continue to be those in 2007, when 76.20 percent of citizens went to the polls in elections representing the first term of Peronist Cristina Kirchner.
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WILLIAM MORENO HERNANDEZ
FROM THE INTERNATIONAL EDITOR
TIME
*With information from AFP and EFE
Source: Exame
