Please see below article received by EPIC Investment Partners, which provides a political update following Argentina’s presidential election.
Argentina rolled the dice on Sunday by electing the right-wing libertarian outsider Javier Milei as its new president. The country, which is grappling with triple-digit inflation, a looming recession, and rising poverty, turned to Milei, who rode a wave of voter anger towards the political mainstream with his radical views to address the country’s economic challenges.
Milei landed nearly 56% of the votes, while his rival, Peronist Economy Minister Sergio Massa, conceded with 44%. Massa acknowledged the unexpected outcome and extended congratulations to Milei, emphasising that the responsibility of providing certainty now lies with the newly elected president.
Milei, advocating for economic shock therapy, plans to implement drastic measures such as shutting down the central bank, abandoning the peso for the US dollar and implementing huge spending cuts. These reforms, though painful, resonated with voters frustrated by the decades of economic mismanagement by the main political parties.
However, the magnitude of the challenges faced by Milei are enormous. He must contend with empty government and central bank coffers, a USD44bn debt program with the International Monetary Fund, inflation raging at nearly 150%, and a complex web of capital controls.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) officials have meanwhile called on the next government to swiftly reset the economy, emphasising that there’s no time for gradual policies. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva congratulated Milei on social media in the Fund’s first official comments since the election, saying “we look forward to working closely with him and his administration.”
Whilst some voters viewed the election of the 53-year-old economist and former TV pundit as a choice between the “lesser of two evils”, the fear of Milei’s tough economic measures was less than the anger at Massa and his Peronist party for the deep economic crisis that has left Argentina heavily indebted and unable to access global credit markets.
Milei garnered significant support from the younger generation, who have witnessed their country endure successive crises. The victory reflects a desire for change among those who see Milei as a break from the past.
However, Milei’s rise does introduce uncertainty to Argentina’s economic trajectory, political dynamics, and foreign policy. His criticism of China and Brazil, refusal to engage with “communists”, and emphasis on stronger US ties suggest a shift in international relations. He is also staunchly anti-abortion, favours looser gun laws and is not afraid to criticise the Argentine Pope Francis. He used to carry a chainsaw as a symbol of his planned cuts, however, shelved the idea in recent weeks to help boost his moderate image.
While Milei’s alliance with conservatives boosted his support after the first-round vote in October, the fragmented Congress and absence of a majority bloc pose challenges. Milei will need support from various factions to advance his legislative agenda. Additionally, his coalition lacks regional governors or mayors, which may moderate some of his more radical proposals.
The road ahead for Milei is fraught with obstacles, and the patience of long-suffering voters may be limited. However, after years of political ineptitude, the old adage “better the devil you know” does not cut the mustard for the South American country anymore.
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Chloe
21/11/2023