Argentina’s libertarian President Javier Milei faced a significant defeat in the Buenos Aires provincial elections on Sunday, losing to the Peronist party. Axel Kicillof, the center-left candidate for the Peronists, won 46.8% of the votes, eclipsing Milei’s La Libertad Avanza party candidate, who received 33.8% with 82.2% of the votes counted. The Peronist victory margin exceeded pre-election poll predictions.
Milei accepted the defeat and acknowledged making unspecified errors that he vowed to correct. He has pledged to accelerate his libertarian reforms ahead of the upcoming national midterm elections.
The president’s stance on fiscal balance, economic openness, and inflation control remains firm. However, the defeat underscores ongoing challenges for Milei, including a bribery scandal involving his sister, Karina Milei, and increasing public criticism of his policies on public spending.
The outcome is also significant because Buenos Aires is a crucial economic region, accounting for more than 30% of Argentina’s GDP and 40% of its eligible voters. It may signal a shift in Argentina’s political landscape as the opposition Peronists continue to make gains.
(Edited by: Elizabeth Schumacher)
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/argentina-milei-s-party-loses-key-vote-in-buenos-aires/a-73913770?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
