Javier Milei Elected as Argentina’s Next President in Polarized Election Campaign

Argentina has elected right-wing populist Javier Milei as its next president in a fiercely polarized election campaign held amid deep discontent over soaring inflation and rising poverty.

Milei, an economist who has promised a dramatic shake-up for many of the nation’s institutions and welcomed frequent comparisons of him to former U.S. President Donald Trump, won 55.8% of the vote with 97.6% of votes tallied, according to Argentina’s electoral authority. His opponent, Economy Minister Sergio Massa, conceded defeat even before the official results were released, with 86.6% of votes tallied showing Milei had 55.95% and Massa 44.04%.

Massa congratulated his opponent in a concession speech, saying, “We have to accept the will of the people. I want to congratulate Javier Milei for his victory.”

Milei’s victory marks a shift to the right for Argentina, as the country faces discontent over soaring inflation and rising poverty. In his victory speech, Milei promised to “build a new Argentina” and said he would “work to unite Argentines.”

The election of Milei as president of Argentina is a dramatic shift for the country, as he has promised a dramatic shake-up to the state. It remains to be seen how his policies will affect the nation’s economy and its citizens.