At 6pm this Sunday (19), voting in the second round of the presidential election in Argentina ended.
Since then, counting of the ballots has begun to determine who will be the country’s next president: Javier Milei or Sergio Massa.
The result is expected to be known by the end of this evening.
According to the latest report from Argentina’s National Electoral Chamber, released at around 6pm, 76% voted in the elections. The number is still partial and could be expanded.
Tough dispute
The government leader Sergio Massa (Unión por la Patria) and the libertarian Javier Milei (La Libertad Avanza) are fighting for command of the Casa Rosada. The dispute is one of the fiercest in recent years in the country, with an uncertain scenario, and which must be decided vote by vote.
Direct opponents, the candidates represent two distinct country projects, the first on the left and the second on the extreme right (which the candidate defines as “libertarian”).
The government candidate
Massa is Argentina’s current economy minister. He took office in September 2021, chosen by President Alberto Fernández and his vice-president, Cristina Kirchner, with the aim of leading the country out of the crisis.
However, Argentina’s inflation closed at 50.9% in 2021 and has only grown since then. In 2022, it closed at 94.8%. And, currently, it is at 142.7% per year.
Massa, who is close to other left-wing governments in South America, promises to resolve the situation from the left, looking at social rights, especially for the poorest population.
VIDEO – Find out who Sergio Massa is
The outsider candidate
It was in this scenario that Milei’s candidacy emerged. Despite being a first-term federal deputy, he is considered a political outsider, as he stands against the “caste” of politicians.
With fiery speeches, Milei made his way to the second round by criticizing all his opponents, the Brazilian and Chinese governments, Pope Francis and the economic and social measures of the current government.
Among its main proposals, also considered more difficult to implement, are the closure of the Argentine central bank and the dollarization of the country’s economy.
He argues that social rights should not be granted because the government or private companies will have to pay for them. Furthermore, he defines himself as a libertarian, who believes that the State should not interfere in anything in the economy and people’s lives, but let the market self-regulate.
*With information from CNN in Spanish; published by Marina Toledo
VIDEO – Find out who Javier Milei is
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
