Libertarian advances in Argentina’s presidential election

It is clear that the outspoken Javier Milei will face the incumbent minister of economy, Sergio Massa, in a second round of voting in Argentina’s elections.

With just over 95 percent of the votes counted in the first round, it was evident that the left-leaning Peronist coalition’s candidate, Sergio Massa, received approximately 36.5 percent of the votes – compared to just over 30 percent for the libertarian Javier Milei. This means the two will face off in a second round of voting on November 19th.

We have previously highlighted Milei, who notably stands out as a staunch Bitcoin advocate and wants to abolish the country’s central bank.

– The central bank is a scam, a mechanism by which politicians deceive the good people with inflationary taxes (which is why Bitcoin) represents the return of money to its original creator, the private sector, he has previously stated.

Milei, who has a rabbi as a spiritual guide and is currently in the process of converting to Judaism, has vowed to “put an end to the parasitic, thieving, and worthless political caste” he believes has ruined Argentina. He is also highly critical of discussions on human-made climate change, sexual education in schools, and most forms of tax-funded welfare.

“We can win”

– Today is a historic day because two-thirds voted for change. We can win, reclaim our country, prevent our children from leaving the country, Milei said about the first-round results.

The libertarian, often compared to former US President Donald Trump by his opponents, must now win over a significant portion of the 23.8 percent of voters who voted for liberal-conservative Patricia Bullrich, who came in third place in the first round.

Much of the Argentine election has revolved around the skyrocketing inflation, which in September was recorded at a staggering 140 percent annually.

According to analysts, Sergio Massa, in his role as the country’s minister of economy, is viewed by many citizens as part of the ruling political establishment responsible for the nation’s current situation, something that might potentially benefit Milei in the second round.