The anger and weariness of decades of economic crises have provided fertile ground for the renegade Javier Mile, a libertarian who has come forward with a promise to take a chainsaw to the bloated state apparatus and “dollarize” the economy.
The Buenos Aires lawyer, who decries the “stealing and worthless political class”, is leading in public opinion polls ahead of Economy Minister Sergio Massa and tough-talking former security minister Patricia Bullrich.
Argentina is Latin America’s third-largest economy, and the capital’s wide avenues and 19th-century European-inspired architecture evoke the glory days when Argentines were among the world’s wealthiest nations.
That golden age, fueled by beef and grain exports, is a distant memory after decades of debt, inflation and financial mismanagement pushed the poverty level to 46 million. in the most populous country this year raised it to 40 percent.
“Complete uncertainty – you never know if your rent or prices in supermarkets will go up,” says 20-year-old student Valentinas Figarra. “It’s madness, madness!”
“You want to grow, but this generation is falling behind, it’s sad,” he added.
“Total Incompetence”
Massa represents the center-left Peronist coalition, a populist movement with policies of heavy state intervention and welfare programs that dominated Argentina for decades but eventually became completely unpopular.
Enticing voters before the election, he went on a spending spree, cutting income tax for a large part of the population, which analysts say only worsened the country’s fragile economic situation.
Mr. Bullrich worked in the 2015-2019 government of President Mauricio Macri.
Mr Macri, a pro-market, non-Peronist, has promised change from his spendthrift and fiscally irresponsible predecessors.
But Mr. Macri failed to control spending and took a record $44 billion. dollars (41.5 billion euros) loan from the International Monetary Fund, which bailed out Argentina 22 times despite this inability to meet its obligations.
Voters have had enough of “corrupt and completely incompetent politicians who never paid attention to what we learn in school, that you can’t spend more than you earn,” says Buenos Aires economist Andres Borenstein.
“In Argentina, we had deficit after deficit, so we borrowed, then defaulted, then printed money because we couldn’t get credit anymore. When we print money, we have inflation,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mr. Milei, the TikTok ace, appeared at rallies with a chainsaw on, promising to cut public spending by 15 percent.
Agustin Baletti, a 22-year-old political science student, says that previous governments “left young people without hope.”
“Everything is already ruined. J. Milei will not ruin anything,” he added.
“Change is hard”
While some people are bursting with enthusiasm for change, many voters are pessimistic.
“I’m 70 and I’ve seen it all since I was born,” says psychoanalyst Irene Landa, sipping coffee in the posh Buenos Aires suburb of Palermo. “I think it is very difficult to change this country.”
In her estimation, Mr. Bullrich is the most consistent of all the candidates.
“J. Mile, in my eyes, would be like giving a revolver to a monkey. But I think that people have had too much, they are so tired that they believe everything he says,” said the woman.
Argentina’s economic woes have affected everyone from the most vulnerable to the once-prosperous middle class.
“The middle class has now become the upper class of the poor,” says Landa, who is officially retired but continues to work for financial security.
Like many, she saves by buying dollars whenever possible to hedge against the unstable peso.
Analysts say the economic stabilization plan will be painful in a country where millions survive on welfare and public sector jobs.
In order to win in the first round, a candidate must collect 45 percent on Sunday. votes or 40 percent with a gap of at least 10 percentage points from the nearest candidate. Otherwise, there will be a runoff on November 19, where the two candidates with the most votes will face off.
A third of the Senate and about half of the members of the lower house of Congress will also be elected on Sunday.
Election results are expected on Sunday evening.
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#Argentinians #gearing #vote #search #elixir #economic #woes
**Interview with Dr. Sofia Gonzalez, Political Analyst**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Gonzalez. The rise of Javier Milei seems to shake up the traditional political landscape in Argentina. What do you think is driving his popularity in the current economic climate?
**Dr. Gonzalez:** Thank you for having me. Javier Milei’s rise is largely fueled by decades of economic crises that have left many Argentines disillusioned and angry with the political establishment. His radical approach—promising to “dollarize” the economy and drastically reduce government expenditure—resonates with voters who have grown weary of inflation, unemployment, and what they perceive as a “bloated state apparatus.”
**Editor:** It’s interesting to hear that. Many young people express frustration about their future. We’ve seen quotes from students like Valentinas Figarra, emphasizing a sense of madness in everyday prices. How significant is the youth vote for candidates like Milei?
**Dr. Gonzalez:** The youth vote is crucial. Young people are particularly affected by the economic instability; many feel they have been left behind and see no future under the current political class. With unemployment and inflation disproportionately impacting them, candidates like Milei appeal because they offer a stark departure from the status quo. They represent a chance, however uncertain, for immediate change.
**Editor:** You mentioned the political establishment and disillusionment. How do you assess the responses from traditional candidates like Sergio Massa and Patricia Bullrich?
**Dr. Gonzalez:** Sergio Massa, representing the Peronist coalition, has tried to balance populist measures with austerity, a strategy that has not been well-received by the public. His recent spending spree may have been an attempt to garner favor before the elections, but it highlights the fiscal mismanagement that many Argentines are fed up with. In contrast, Patricia Bullrich, who has a more traditional conservative stance, suffers from the same historical baggage as her predecessors. Many voters are looking for a radical change, making it difficult for her to gain traction.
**Editor:** And what about the skepticism surrounding Milei? Some voters, like psychoanalyst Irene Landa, express deep doubts about his ability to create meaningful change. What are their concerns?
**Dr. Gonzalez:** That skepticism is valid. Some see Milei’s approach as reckless, likening it to “giving a revolver to a monkey,” as Irene put it. There’s a fear of instability—changing systems so drastically could lead to unforeseen consequences. While his proposal to cut public spending sounds appealing, the execution and impact of those changes are critical. Many worry that the reforms could exacerbate existing issues rather than resolve them.
**Editor:** In light of the upcoming election, what can we expect in terms of public sentiment towards Milei and his competitors?
**Dr. Gonzalez:** Expect a divided electorate. While there is enthusiasm for Milei among many disenfranchised voters, others, particularly older generations who have witnessed cycles of political failure, remain skeptical. This tension will shape the election, as some voters cling to familiarity and caution, while others yearn for radical transformation. It will be fascinating to see how this plays out at the polls.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Gonzalez. It’s clear that Argentina stands at a crossroads, faced with deep economic challenges and differing visions for the future.
**Dr. Gonzalez:** Absolutely, and thank you for the discussion. The next months will be critical for Argentina’s trajectory, and how the electorate ultimately responds will shape the nation for years to come.
