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Far-right populist emerges as biggest vote-getter in Argentina’s presidential primary voting

by Joshua Brown
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Javier Milei

Far-right populist figure, Javier Milei, sent shockwaves through Argentina’s political scene on Sunday by becoming the top vote-getter in the primary elections for the upcoming October presidential race in a country grappling with severe economic difficulties.

Known for his admiration of former U.S. President Donald Trump, Milei’s unconventional stances include calling for the abolition of Argentina’s Central Bank, rejecting climate change, describing sex education as a scheme to dismantle the family, advocating for the legal sale of human organs, and promoting easier access to handguns.

Late into Sunday, as the votes were still being tallied, analysts concurred that Milei, who had gained fame and an ardent following for his vehement diatribes against the “political elite,” had outperformed expectations and had positioned himself as a genuine contender for the nation’s presidency.

According to the official results, with nearly two-thirds of polling sites reporting, Milei secured approximately 32% of the vote, outpacing the candidates from the main opposition coalition, United for Change, who stood at 28%, and the current ruling coalition, Union for the Homeland, who garnered 26%.

Prior to the elections, experts had cautioned that a strong performance by the 52-year-old Milei could disturb financial markets and precipitate a steep drop in the value of Argentina’s peso, due to uncertainty over the economic policies he might pursue if elected president.

Sunday’s vote served not only as a selection process for candidates from various political factions but also as an informal barometer of the nation’s sentiment leading into the October election.

Serving as a lawmaker in the lower house of Argentina’s Congress since 2021, Milei ran unopposed in his Liberty Advances party’s presidential primary. The early results pointed to Argentina joining other regional countries in shifting support toward an outsider figure, symbolizing frustration with the conventional political order.

With Argentina reeling from annual inflation exceeding 100%, growing poverty, and a swiftly deteriorating currency, Milei’s appeal grew as he championed the idea of replacing the peso with the U.S. dollar. Supporters like 19-year-old Franco Lesertessur rejoiced outside Milei’s election headquarters, endorsing the proposed monetary change.

Meanwhile, the main opposition coalition, United for Change, also leaned rightward as former Security Minister Patricia Bullrich significantly defeated a moderate opponent, Buenos Aires Mayor Horacio Rodríguez Larreta.

The ruling coalition, Union for the Homeland, was chastised by voters for the economy’s dismal state, landing in third place overall. Economy Minister Sergio Mass was anticipated to become the coalition’s presidential candidate, winning handily over leftist Juan Grabois.

Yet Milei’s substantial result was a sign that many voters have grown weary of the two dominant coalitions that have long ruled Argentina’s political landscape.

Political consultant Mariel Fornoni pointed out that the outcomes reflected widespread discontent with the political leadership and a failure to address the actual concerns of the people.

At Milei’s election headquarters, both party leaders and supporters were jubilant, expressing hope that their candidate’s backing would continue to swell leading up to October. Orlando Sánchez, 26, a retail worker, voiced support for Milei’s ideas on freedom, emphasizing that ordinary citizens should have the right to own guns lawfully.

This report includes contributions from Big Big News journalists Almudena Calatrava, Débora Rey, and Natacha Pisarenko.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Javier Milei

Who emerged as the top vote-getter in Argentina’s presidential primary?

Javier Milei, a far-right populist, emerged as the biggest vote-getter in the primary elections for the upcoming October presidential race in Argentina.

What are some of Javier Milei’s political stances?

Milei calls for the abolition of Argentina’s Central Bank, rejects climate change, describes sex education as a scheme to dismantle the family, advocates for the legal sale of human organs, and promotes easier access to handguns.

What percentage of the vote did Javier Milei receive?

According to the official results, with nearly two-thirds of polling sites reporting, Milei secured approximately 32% of the total vote.

What was the reaction of the financial market to Milei’s performance?

Prior to the elections, experts had cautioned that a strong performance by Milei could disturb financial markets and precipitate a steep drop in the value of Argentina’s peso due to uncertainty over his economic policies.

How did the main opposition coalition, United for Change, and the ruling coalition, Union for the Homeland, perform?

The main opposition coalition, United for Change, stood at 28%, and the current ruling coalition, Union for the Homeland, garnered 26% of the votes in the primary.

Who is supporting Javier Milei’s proposal to replace the peso with the U.S. dollar?

Javier Milei attracted support for his proposal to replace the peso with the U.S. dollar from those who are frustrated with Argentina’s economic challenges, including high inflation and currency depreciation.

What was the general sentiment of Milei’s supporters following the primary results?

Milei’s supporters were jubilant and expressed optimism about his chances in the upcoming October election. They celebrated outside his election headquarters and voiced support for his ideas on freedom and monetary change.

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