Javier Milei of La Libertad Avanza alliance won the presidential election in Argentina, his opponent, the candidate of the ruling Union for the Homeland alliance, Sergio Massa, said on Monday before the official results of the vote were announced.
"The results were not what we expected, I contacted Javier Milei to congratulate him and wish him good luck because he is the president that the majority of Argentines have chosen for the next 4 years," Massa said.
Milei received 55.95% after 86.59% of the votes were counted. Economy Minister Massa gained 44.04%.
Argentina is currently facing a severe economic crisis, with inflation soaring by 120% since the beginning of 2023. The two candidates have completely opposite views on how to deal with the problem.
Milei advocates the dollarization of the economy and a foreign policy oriented towards Israel and the United States. He is also against joining the BRICS and cooperating with China, Brazil and Russia. Massa, on the other hand, is ready to work with all countries to solve the crisis and join BRICS in order to be able to borrow money from the BRICS New Development Bank.
On December 10, Milei will take over for the next four years from current President Alberto Fernandez.
Javier Milei, 53, is an Argentine economist and politician. In 2021, he entered politics and was elected as a national deputy representing the city of Buenos Aires by the political coalition La Libertad Avanza.