Argentina's "chainsaw-wielding libertarian," Javier Milei, may become the country's president tomorrow.
A chainsaw-wielding libertarian could become Argentina's next president | CBC News | Thomson Reuters:
October 20, 2023 - "Argentina may be about to leap into the political unknown. The South American country, the region's No. 2 economy after Brazil, will vote in presidential elections on Sunday with a radical outsider, libertarian Javier Milei, in pole position to win, though he will likely face a second round run-off. The wild-haired, chainsaw-wielding economist — who has risen from relative obscurity over the last year — came top in an August open primary and leads all opinion polls ahead of Economy Minister Sergio Massa and conservative Patricia Bullrich.
"Milei, 52, is a poster child of Argentine voters' anger at inflation that may hit 200 per cent this year, rising poverty levels and a sliding peso currency that erases the real-world value of people's salaries and savings. Many blame the political elite and have latched on to Milei's burn-it-all-down rhetoric. He has used the chainsaw throughout his campaign to symbolize how he will slash government spending and waste.... 'Milei is a clean slate. He may be crazy, but at least he says what he thinks,' said Sebastián Pizzo, 33, a restaurant employee in Buenos Aires.
"The vote marks a major crossroads for Argentina, one of the world's top grains exporters, the No. 4 producer of electric battery metal lithium, and a growing shale oil and gas play.... The country is also the largest — by far — debtor to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) with an outstanding $44 billion US loan program, as well as huge international debts with bondholders and a large currency swap line with China.
"Milei has criticized China, pledged to "burn down" the central bank, privatize public sector entities, and switch to the U.S. dollar. He is anti-abortion and anti-feminist. He's the candidate to beat, but the election remains a three-way race, with polls having proven unreliable for the August primary (failing to spot Milei's sharp ascent).... Pollsters generally agree the most likely result is that Milei comes first, but faces a second-round head-to-head with Massa on Nov. 19. A candidate needs 45 per cent of the vote or 40 per cent with a 10-point lead over second place to win outright on Sunday....
"Whoever wins will face a bleak economic outlook: the central bank's coffers are practically empty, a recession is looming, two-fifths of the population live in poverty and most expect a sharp currency devaluation that could fan inflation further.
"The election will likely split the vote between the top three runners, with a further two candidates polling at under five per cent. That will impact the make-up of Congress, which is being partially renewed and will likely end up fragmented. No coalition is expected [to] have a majority in either chamber, forcing the next president to negotiate across political divides. Frontrunner Milei would have a relatively small number of seats in Congress and little regional government support.
"Many voters, however, appeared resigned to a Milei win — a reflection of how the former television pundit has managed to take hold of the political narrative, leveraging memes and videos online that have resonated with younger voters."
Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/argentina-presidential-election-javier-milei-1.7002584
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