JavierMiley
BUENOS AIRES – Javier Millay was elected president of Argentina on Sunday, defeating official candidate Sergio Massa in the second round of the election.
With more than 99% of the votes counted, the liberal candidate defeated Massa with 55.71% of the votes compared to Massa’s 44.29%. So far 1.55% of blank bills have been accounted for.
“Today the reconstruction of Argentina begins,” said Javier Milay excitedly at the beginning of his first speech as president-elect. And he added: “This is a historic night for our country, the end of decline and the beginning of a new chapter, a journey back to a path we should not have lost.”
In front of a large sign that said “President-Elect,” Milley promised to “fulfill all the promises made during the campaign,” assured that “one way of doing politics is over,” and announced that he will implement strong changes immediately.
“If we do not quickly adopt the structural changes that Argentina needs, we will be heading directly towards the worst crisis in history. The situation is critical. The changes we need are radical and there is no room for incrementalism or half measures.” he declared.
His followers listened carefully to the calls for “freedom” and to those of a large group of center-right leaders close to Patricia Burridge and former president Mauricio Macri. He thanked them for “fully defending the changes that Argentina needs” and thanked his party’s prosecutors for their cooperation in controlling the electoral process.
In a conciliatory tone never seen before, he promised that “everyone who wants to join the new Argentina will be welcome, no matter where they come from or what they have done before,” opening the door to leaders from other fields.
Finally, he insisted that “Argentina has a future” and that the country “will once again embrace the ideals of freedom and will once again be a global power.”
Sergio Massa, the first to admit defeat
The first to recognize the result was the Peronist candidate Sergio Massa himself, who admitted his defeat and questioned the liberal economy before the first official results of the second presidential round in Argentina began to circulate. Congratulations to Javier Millay for his victory.
Massa told his supporters at campaign headquarters: “The results did not meet our expectations and I have contacted Milley to congratulate him because he is the president elected by the vast majority of the people for the next four years.”
“I do it with the conviction that the most important thing is to send the message that coexistence and dialogue are the path we must follow.”
Massa announced from his command center: “I contacted Javier Milay to congratulate him and wish him good luck, since he is the president elected by the majority of Argentines for the next four years.”
Furthermore, the current Minister of Economy also stated sincerely: “This is not the result we expected, but the Argentines chose another path and we are going to respect it.” At the same time, he assured that “they will respect the choice made.” for the Argentines” and Milley was asked to “start the presidential transition tomorrow with Alberto Fernández.”
Precisely, President Alberto Fernández said that “the people have expressed their will” and without directly congratulating the newly elected president, he added: “I believe that tomorrow we can begin to cooperate with Javier Milais to ensure an orderly transition.” work to strengthen democratic and republican institutions. “
Other Latin American leaders also began to send congratulations and messages, such as the Uruguayan Luis Lacalle Pou, the Brazilian Luis Inácio Lula da Silva, the Paraguayan Santiago Peña, etc. The same situation also occurs in foreign diplomatic missions in the country.
Election day in Argentina is passing normally. “I want to congratulate the Argentine people for a day of transparency and democracy,” said Julio Vitobello, secretary general of the presidency, who was in charge of announcing the first official results.
Challenges facing the new government
Javier Milei will take office as the new president on December 10.
Analyst and consultant Alejandro Catterberg told VOA: “Millay knows how to read the political and social climate, he reads it better than the rest of the political leadership,” before adding: “Now he will have to navigate very turbulent waters in Argentina.”
Since the afternoon, the Javier Mire Command Center, in downtown Buenos Aires, was filled with an atmosphere of joy. Not only members of the Free Alliance party, represented by the economist, but also representatives of the center-right arrived there.
Patricia Bullrich, who came third in October’s general election and played a key role in Millay’s campaign for her explicit support, wrote in X Magazine: “Congratulations to Javier Milais for a resounding and historic victory. This Sunday, the profound changes that we have fought because for many years it finally prevailed.”
Mire is considered a liberal economist who has only been in politics for two years but lacks experience in public management. During his campaign, he promised to cut public spending, close central banks and dollarize the economy.
His other controversial proposals include calling for a referendum to repeal laws legalizing abortion, deregulating the legal gun market, and imposing tariffs on public health and education.
In foreign policy, the liberal economist has repeatedly promised to “sever ties” with Brazil and China, which he considers “communist countries.” He has publicly expressed interest in maintaining close ties with the United States and Israel.
Political scientist Patricio Giusto analyzed before being consulted by VOA: “The challenge that Milley faces now is enormous, because even with the support of the Republican Party, he will occupy both chambers of Congress. A minority of seats.” work to build a new parliament.” The alliance, in particular the ashes of “Together for Change.” All this occurs within the framework of a serious economic and social situation. “
