Supporters of Argentine congressman and presidential candidate for La Libertad Avanza Alliance, Javier Milei cheer outside his party headquarters during presidential elections in Buenos Aires on October 22, 2023.
Most analysts and pollsters believe Milei will either face beleaguered Economy Minister Sergio Massa in a runoff, or conservative former security minister Patricia Bullrich. Many casting their ballots were jittery over the impact of the vote on the volatile peso and inflation, and said they were simply choosing the least worst option.
"But it is not that I have all the confidence in the world... but he is the only one giving solid, transparent proposals."Milei, a libertarian economist, blindsided pollsters when he surged to the front of the election race, winning an August primary with 30 percent of votes. He is against abortion and sex education, wants to ditch about ten government ministries, and does not believe humans are responsible for climate change.The charismatic economy minister, Massa represents the ruling center-left Peronist coalition, a populist movement heavy on state intervention and welfare programs that has dominated Argentine politics for decades but has grown deeply unpopular.