Argentina’s Peronists post shock election win to seal run-off with libertarian Milei

BUENOS AIRES – Argentina’s ruling Peronist coalition smashed expectations to lead the country’s general election on Sunday.

It set the stage for a polarised run-off vote in November between centrist Peronist Economy Minister Sergio Massa and far-right libertarian radical Javier Milei.

Mr Massa had more than 36.6 per cent of the vote, ahead of Mr Milei with just over 30 per cent.

Conservative Patricia Bullrich was behind on 23.8 per cent, with nearly 98 per cent of the vote counted.

The result has defied pre-election polls that had predicted a libertarian win.

The surprise strength of the Peronists, despite overseeing inflation hitting triple digits for the first time since 1991, sets up an intriguing second round on Nov 19 between two polar opposite economic models for the embattled country.

The result eases concerns about a radical shift in policies in the event of a decisive win for Mr Milei, who has proposed dollarising the economy and shutting the central bank. But it still leaves the country with few answers to its worst economic crisis in two decades.

Argentines had flocked to the polls on Sunday amid the country’s

worst economic crisis in two decades

and rising anger with the traditional elite.

“I know that many of those who voted for us are the ones who are suffering the most,” Mr Massa said after the results. “Our country is experiencing a complex, difficult situation, full of challenges to face... I am not going to fail them.”

Many blamed the Peronists.

But Mr Massa – a moderate – had shot back, saying the government’s social safety nets and subsidies were key for many hard-up Argentines, including a recent stunt showing how train and bus fares could rise sharply if he lost.

That message seems to have hit home.

“Peronism is the only space that offers the possibility that the poorest of us can have basic things at our fingertips,” said bricklayer Carlos Gutierrez, 61, as he went to vote on Sunday.

To win outright on Sunday, a candidate would have needed over 45 per cent of the vote or 40 per cent and a 10-point lead.

The result leaves things delicately poised and pushed out of the race the establishment candidate, Ms Bullrich.

The election outcome will likely give already wobbly markets the jitters on Monday, with little clarity about the country’s route forward.

“We have never had so much polarisation,” said 72-year-old pensioner Silvia Monto as she voted in Buenos Aires on Sunday.

‘Sinking us a little more’

Mr Milei has pledged to “chainsaw” the economic and political status quo.

He lured angry voters to his tear-it-all-down message, fed up with rising prices outstripping salaries.

“He is the only one who understands the situation in the country and understands how to save it,” said Buenos Aires student Nicolas Mercado, 22.

Mr Milei, in a defiant speech after the result, said he would fight on to win in the second round in November.

“We are faced with the most important election of the last 100 years,” he said. “If we work together, we can win. If we work together, we can recover our country.”

The election authorities said turnout was around 74 per cent, up from the August primaries.

But it was considerably lower than the 81 per cent participation at the last general election and the lowest general election turnout since the 1983 return to democracy.

Whoever emerges victorious will have to deal with an economy on life support: Central bank reserves are empty, recession is expected after a major drought and a US$44 billion (S$60 billion) programme with the International Monetary Fund is wobbling.

Ms Silvana Dezilio, 37, a housewife in Buenos Aires province, said it was hard to see a positive outcome, no matter who wins.

“All governments promise things and end up sinking us a little more. It seems unbelievable, but we are getting worse and worse. We read that other countries have overcome the problems that for us are getting worse every day,” she said. REUTERS