Argentinian libertarian anarcho-capitalist economist Javier Milei finished in second place in the latest round of the country’s presidential election, garnering 30% of the vote. The Week US reported Sunday Argentinian economy minister Sergio Massa came in first place with 36.6% of the vote. A run-off election on November 19 will determine Argentina’s next president. Former Argentinian security minister Patricia Bullrich came in third place with 24%. Local media said turnout was 74%. Milei was viewed as a real contender in new polls that have emerged since he upended expectations by coming first in the primary elections in August. READ MORE: Argentinian anarcho-libertarian firebrand has real chance at presidency“Even Kirchneristas changed sides and voted for Milei,” said Universidad Nacional de Cordoba political science professor Valeria Brusco. “You could say that's ideologically impossible, but it happened.”Milei led in most polls since he came in first in the primary election, and he has consumed the majority of media attention. He earned comparisons to former US president Donald Trump and former Brazilian president Jair Bolsanaro for his right-wing populist approach. “For Milei, this should be a shock,” said Argentinian political scientist Ignacio Labaqui. His key proposals included replacing the Argentinian peso with the American dollar, eliminating the central bank and 10 of Argentina’s 18 departments and slashing taxes, regulations and government spending. He promised a culture war against the woke left and called climate change a “socialist lie.” Political analysts had downplayed Massa’s chances in part because he oversaw an economy where inflation was near 140% and the value of the peso has plummeted. He could lose if Bullrich’s supporters flock to Milei. Buenos Aires voter Franco Espinosa said Milei is “like a kamikaze.”“It's like lending your car to someone when they don't know how to drive,” said Espinosa.
Argentinian libertarian anarcho-capitalist economist Javier Milei finished in second place in the latest round of the country’s presidential election, garnering 30% of the vote. The Week US reported Sunday Argentinian economy minister Sergio Massa came in first place with 36.6% of the vote. A run-off election on November 19 will determine Argentina’s next president. Former Argentinian security minister Patricia Bullrich came in third place with 24%. Local media said turnout was 74%. Milei was viewed as a real contender in new polls that have emerged since he upended expectations by coming first in the primary elections in August. READ MORE: Argentinian anarcho-libertarian firebrand has real chance at presidency“Even Kirchneristas changed sides and voted for Milei,” said Universidad Nacional de Cordoba political science professor Valeria Brusco. “You could say that's ideologically impossible, but it happened.”Milei led in most polls since he came in first in the primary election, and he has consumed the majority of media attention. He earned comparisons to former US president Donald Trump and former Brazilian president Jair Bolsanaro for his right-wing populist approach. “For Milei, this should be a shock,” said Argentinian political scientist Ignacio Labaqui. His key proposals included replacing the Argentinian peso with the American dollar, eliminating the central bank and 10 of Argentina’s 18 departments and slashing taxes, regulations and government spending. He promised a culture war against the woke left and called climate change a “socialist lie.” Political analysts had downplayed Massa’s chances in part because he oversaw an economy where inflation was near 140% and the value of the peso has plummeted. He could lose if Bullrich’s supporters flock to Milei. Buenos Aires voter Franco Espinosa said Milei is “like a kamikaze.”“It's like lending your car to someone when they don't know how to drive,” said Espinosa.
