Sergio Massa, the Economy Minister of Argentina, surprised all observers by securing over 36% of the vote in the presidential election on Sunday. This achievement positions him to face the far-right candidate Javier Milei in a run-off contest.
Public Reaction to Massa’s Victory
As many had anticipated that voters would punish Mr. Massa for presiding over a financial crisis, his victory came as a shock.
Economic Challenges and Political Polarization
Argentine inflation is approaching 140 percent.
As of the near completion of the ballot tally, all candidates had failed to secure the requisite 45% of votes for an uncontested victory.
The Milei Factor
Voters will be presented with a choice between Mr. Milei, a far-right libertarian, and Mr. Massa, a member of the left-leaning Peronist movement, in the subsequent round on November 19.
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Mr. Milei, who had secured the top spot in the August primaries, was demoted to second place with a mere 30% of the vote total.
Former conservative Security Minister Patricia Bullrich placed third with 23.8% of the vote.
Ms. Bullrich reacted negatively to first-placed Sergio Massa after the outcome, stating, “I will not extend my congratulations to a person who was a member of the worst government in Argentina’s history.”
Juan Schiaretti and Myriam Bregman, the other two candidates in the election, lagged significantly behind with 6.8% and 2.7%, respectively.
After Mr. Massa’s unexpected victory, a portion of his supporters took to the streets of Buenos Aires to revel in the occasion.
“What Massa showed was that he was the only candidate that has a serious project for the country,” explained Luis Esquivel.
Juliana Agrofoglio, 27, elucidated, “The outcomes corroborate the triumphant campaign he directed.” She further stated that voters had united in order to “confront the fear” that she claimed Mr. Milei had instilled.
Voters seeking a radical strategy to reverse Argentina’s economic downturn were attracted to Mr. Milei’s ideas, which included abolishing the central bank and coinciding with the US dollar for the Argentine peso.
In addition, he has pledged to reduce the number of ministries and government agencies, relax firearm control regulations, and limit abortion access.
Mr. Milei remarked to his supporters that they had observed “the most significant election of the last century,” further asserting that the vote on Sunday was “historic” due to the fact that “Argentines voted for a change.”
According to Benjamin Gedan, director of the Argentina Project at the Wilson Centre think tank in Washington, despite the fact that many Argentines desired radical change, “a great number of Argentines have much to lose from the social welfare state dismantling that Mr. Milei proposes.”
“If Milei is wielding a chainsaw at rallies, then the quality of life for the people is at the other end of that chainsaw,” Mr. Gedan told AFP.
Mr. Massa’s campaign also focused on defending the administration’s credentials.
He told his supporters in Buenos Aires, “Our nation is in a complicated situation (…) but you believed we were the most effective instrument to forge a new chapter in Argentine history.”
The 51-year-old also claimed that the previous center-right administration’s IMF debt caused the austerity policies in his government.
Challenges Ahead for the Winner
Amidst an already challenging period for Argentina’s economy, divisions are likely to intensify in the four weeks leading up to the run-off, as two such polar antagonists compete against one another.
Whoever wins the run-off will have to win over a nation weary of politics and full of people wanting better lives.
