Argentines vote in election that will determine country’s economic future
Millions of Argentines cast their votes on Sunday in an election that will determine the future of the country’s struggling economy. The nail-biter election pits embattled Economy Minister Sergio Massa against libertarian outsider Javier Milei.
The two candidates represent starkly different visions for Latin America’s third-largest economy, which is currently grappling with triple-digit inflation and poverty rates exceeding 40 percent.
Polls indicate that the race is too close to call, with Milei holding a slight advantage over Massa. Voter turnout is expected to be crucial, as about 10 percent of voters remain undecided and the election is taking place on a long weekend.
Desperate for change, many voters expressed dissatisfaction with their options. “Neither of the two candidates have good proposals,” said nurse Laura Coleman, 25. “I voted for the one who will do the least damage to the country which is in a very complicated situation.”
The 53-year-old economist, Milei, has gained unexpected popularity in recent months, drawing comparisons to former US president Donald Trump and Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro. His anti-establishment rhetoric has resonated with many Argentines who are tired of the status quo.
On the other hand, Massa, 51, represents the Peronist coalition, a populist movement known for state intervention and welfare programs. Analysts accuse him of abusing state resources to boost his electoral chances, including using ads to warn about potential negative outcomes under his opponent’s leadership.
Whoever wins, analysts warn that Argentina is in for a tough road ahead. The country is facing severe economic challenges, with shortages in fuel, medicine, and other essential goods. The new president will inherit a situation described by analysts as “unbelievably deep hole with very few resources to do so,” said Benjamin Gedan, director of the Argentina Project at the Washington-based Wilson Center.
The results of the election are expected to be announced a few hours after voting ends, with the new president set to take office on December 10.