BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentine President Javier Milei suffered a sweeping setback on Sunday in a Buenos Aires provincial election widely viewed as a political test for his libertarian party and a barometer for how it will perform in crucial congressional midterms next month. Milei’s recently formed La Libertad Avanza party captured just 34% of the vote in Argentina’s biggest province, losing by a landslide to the left-leaning Peronist opposition, which secured 47% with the majority of ballots counted late Sunday.
Milei conceded that his right-wing party’s crushing 13-point loss to his populist rivals represented “a clear defeat.” “We suffered a setback, and we must accept it responsibly,” Milei told grim-faced supporters at the party headquarters, his tone reflective, even chastened. “If we’ve made political mistakes, we’re going to internalize them, we’re going to process them, we’re going to modify our actions,” he said. Still, he vowed to stick with his sweeping economic overhaul, saying: “There will be no retreat in government policy.”
Milei faces a troubling economy and a growing scandal involving his close associates amidst heightened scrutiny as the congressional midterm elections approach. Analysts had anticipated a narrower loss for La Libertad Avanza; however, fears abound that the severe outcome will empower rivals and further destabilize Milei’s presidency. The results of this election could dictate the future of Milei's radical libertarian reforms as Peronists continue to challenge his policies.
As he grapples with economic stagnation, a high-profile bribery scandal involving his sister stirs public discontent. Former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner has mocked Milei's performance on social media, suggesting that it marks a stark reminder of economic struggles faced by average Argentines. While Milei seeks to implement radical reforms aimed at stabilizing the Argentine economy, experts assert that he must first win back the trust of both the populace and international investors.
Milei conceded that his right-wing party’s crushing 13-point loss to his populist rivals represented “a clear defeat.” “We suffered a setback, and we must accept it responsibly,” Milei told grim-faced supporters at the party headquarters, his tone reflective, even chastened. “If we’ve made political mistakes, we’re going to internalize them, we’re going to process them, we’re going to modify our actions,” he said. Still, he vowed to stick with his sweeping economic overhaul, saying: “There will be no retreat in government policy.”
Milei faces a troubling economy and a growing scandal involving his close associates amidst heightened scrutiny as the congressional midterm elections approach. Analysts had anticipated a narrower loss for La Libertad Avanza; however, fears abound that the severe outcome will empower rivals and further destabilize Milei’s presidency. The results of this election could dictate the future of Milei's radical libertarian reforms as Peronists continue to challenge his policies.
As he grapples with economic stagnation, a high-profile bribery scandal involving his sister stirs public discontent. Former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner has mocked Milei's performance on social media, suggesting that it marks a stark reminder of economic struggles faced by average Argentines. While Milei seeks to implement radical reforms aimed at stabilizing the Argentine economy, experts assert that he must first win back the trust of both the populace and international investors.
