ReutersThe new Argentine president Javier Milei
NOS News•today, 01:45•Changed today, 02:03
The presidential elections in Argentina were won by Javier Milei. The economist, who is seen as ultra-right, won the second round against rival Sergio Massa with 56 percent of the votes, according to the preliminary results.
Massa has admitted his loss. “It is clear that the results are not what we expected. I have contacted Javier Milei to congratulate him,” said the current Minister of Economy, who also pointed out that the responsibility now lies with Milei.
The first round of Argentina’s elections last month did not produce a new president. To win the election, a candidate had to win 45 percent of the vote in the first round, or 40 percent with a large lead over the number two. Massa came to 36 percent, Milei received about 30 percent of the votes.
The economic crisis in the country was the main election theme. Poverty in Argentina is increasing. Massive inflation has led to two in five Argentines now living below the poverty line.
Trump
Javier Milei (53) is a newcomer in politics and is often compared to former American president Trump and Brazilian former president Bolsonaro. He says he stands for radical freedom and change. For example, Milei wants to get rid of the local currency, the peso, and introduce the dollar instead. He is also in favor of relaxing gun legislation and is against abortion.
Zuid-Amerika-correspondent Nina Jurna:
“Milei’s win should mainly be seen as a vote against. Many Argentinians see him as someone who stands outside the established politics. They hope that Milei will take a radically different tack, as he also promised in the campaign.
Many Argentinians are fed up with the current Peronist-left government and see them as responsible for the successive economic crises that Argentina has been going through for more than twenty years. Expectations in Milei are therefore high, but the question is whether he can actually achieve his far-reaching promises, such as dollarization and closing the central bank.
His emerging party does not have a majority in the House of Representatives and the Senate. Milei will therefore have to find political support to implement his plans.”
Milei’s appearance is also striking. He likes to wear leather jackets and says he never combs his hair. That’s why he has the nickname The Wig – got the wig. During his campaign, Milei was often seen with a chainsaw in his hands.
Milei founded the La Libertad Avanza party in 2021. The party name means ‘freedom moves forward’. He quickly managed to get a seat in the lower house of the Argentine Congress thanks to a good result in the local elections in Buenos Aires.
With a chainsaw on the campaign trail: Javier Milei, the Argentinian Trump
2023-11-20 00:45:47
#Ultraright #Milei #wins #presidential #elections #Argentina
