Javier Mele after winning the presidency of Argentina: Today begins the end of decadence

Extremist liberal candidate Javier Meili won the presidential elections in Argentina yesterday (Sunday), achieving a major surprise by obtaining 55.95 percent of the votes, according to what partial official results showed. Meli said in his victory speech yesterday evening (Sunday) that “Today begins The end of decadence” and the “reconstruction of Argentina” begins, warning that there will be no “half-measures.”

Milley addressed thousands of his supporters at his campaign headquarters in Buenos Aires after his landslide victory with more than 55 percent of the votes over centrist Economy Minister Sergio Massa, stressing that “this is a historic night for Argentina,” according to Agence France-Presse.

Milley continued: “The poor class model has ended, and today we are adopting the model of freedom in order to once again become a global power. Today the way politics was practiced ends, and another way begins.” “We are facing enormous problems: inflation, recession, lack of real jobs, insecurity, poverty and misery,” he said. “These are problems that will not be solved unless we embrace the ideas of freedom again.”

Milley, who has been calling for shock therapy for two years for an economy exhausted by chronic inflation that currently stands at 143 percent over one year, warned: “There is no room for gradualism and no room for apathy or half-measures.” He extended his hand to “all Argentines, political leaders and all those who want to join the new Argentina,” but he also warned of possible social resistance movements to his reforms. He explained: “We know that there are people who will resist and want to preserve the system of privileges (which benefits) some but impoverishes the majority. I tell them: Everything that is in the law is permissible, but not what is outside the law.”

Milley will assume the presidency on December 10, succeeding Peronist President (centre-left) Alberto Fernandez.

His rival, Economy Minister Sergio Massa, received 44.04 percent after counting 86 percent of the votes, and he acknowledged his defeat, saying that he called Meli to congratulate him. Massa said: “It is clear that the results were not what we had hoped for, and I spoke with Javier Mele to congratulate him and wish him success because he is the president elected by the majority of Argentines for the next four years.”

American and Brazilian congratulations

The United States congratulated Milley on his election victory, praising “the large turnout and the peaceful conduct of the voting process.” US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in a statement that these elections are “a testament to Argentina’s electoral and democratic institutions,” adding that the United States “looks forward to working with President-elect Milley and his government on common priorities.” For his part, Republican former US President Donald Trump congratulated Milley on his election as president of Argentina, saying through his social network “Truth Social” that he would work to “change” his country. “I am so proud of you,” Trump wrote to Milley. “You will change your country and make Argentina great again.”

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva wished success to the new Argentine administration, in a message on the “X” website in which he did not mention the winner of Sunday’s elections. “I wish the new government good luck and success,” Lula wrote. Argentina is a great country that deserves all our respect. “Brazil will always be ready to work with our Argentine brothers.”

The highest inflation rate in the world

Electoral polling stations closed at six in the evening (21:00 GMT) for 36 million voters.

Inflation, one of the highest rates in the world (143 percent in a year), poverty that affected 40 percent of the population despite social welfare programs, intractable debts, and the decline in the value of the currency, determined the features of the voting cycle that Argentines hope will get them out of the economic crisis. Plans to revive the third largest economy in Latin America seemed very conflicting, according to Agence France-Presse.

Milley, 53 years old, is an economist who describes himself as an “anarcho-capitalist.” He sparked controversy in his television appearances and entered the political arena two years ago. This liberal pledged to get rid of the “parasitic class,” “prunate the hostile state,” and “dollarize the economy.”

The electoral competition came as Argentines move “from one crisis to another, and are on the verge of psychological collapse,” according to analyst Ana Ibaraguirre.

The country is witnessing a rise in prices from month to month, and even from week to week, while wages, including minimum salaries, have fallen to 146,000 pesos ($400).

Rents have reached levels that are beyond the reach of many, and housewives resort to bartering to get what they need, similar to what happened after the severe economic crisis in 2001.

A study conducted by the University of Buenos Aires earlier this year showed that 68 percent of young people between the ages of 18 and 29 are ready to emigrate if they have the opportunity.

People can’t stand it anymore

Voter Isabella Fernandez (20 years old) said she was convinced and “fearless” to “change” with Millie. Meanwhile, voter Alejandro Seco (62 years old) said: “People can no longer bear it.” “I believe that a severe economic crisis is looming on the horizon.”

Massa achieved progress in the first round with 37 percent of the votes, compared to 30 percent for Milli.

Although he gained the support of many “angry” voters in the first round, Milli’s speech and his desire to reduce public spending in a country where 51 percent of the population receives social aid, and his intention to facilitate the purchase of weapons, also raised concerns.