Javier Milei of La Libertad Avanza speaks to supporters throughout his closing rally at Movistar Arena on Oct. 18 in Buenos Aires.

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Javier Milei of La Libertad Avanza speaks to supporters throughout his closing rally at Movistar Arena on Oct. 18 in Buenos Aires.

Tomas Cuesta/Getty Images

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Argentines have overwhelmingly elected Javier Milei, an ultra-conservative economist, as the following president of the South American nation. With practically all of the votes counted, the previous TV pundit received by greater than 10 factors.

The far-right populist and first-time congressman received the second spherical of the presidential election, defeating Sergio Massa, the financial system minister from the ruling Peronist celebration. Massa conceded defeat quickly after the polls closed, pledging to assist the president-elect transition to energy.

Addressing a crowd of ecstatic supporters on the Libertador Hotel in Buenos Aires Milei stated that Argentina was in a “critical situation” and that it was no time for “half measures.”

“The model of decadence has come to an end. There’s no going back,” he informed the group. “We have monumental problems ahead. Inflation, lack of work, and poverty.”

Milei is a newcomer to politics, simply successful a seat within the Congress two years in the past together with his ultra-conservative libertarian celebration Freedom Advances. He describes himself as an anarcho-capitalist and pledged to battle Argentina’s staggering inflation, now at greater than 140%, by changing the peso with the greenback and abolishing the Central Bank.

He’s additionally promised to slash Argentina’s beneficiant state spending and subsidies, a prospect that had generated concern amongst loyal voters of the present Peronist celebration, which regardless of a robust political machine, misplaced by double digits.

With his shock of unruly hair and lengthy sideburns, Milei’s outspoken fashion and outrageous antics have drawn comparisons to politicians like President Donald Trump and Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro.

The former U.S. president congratulated Milei on his victory, posting an announcement on his Truth social media platform. “You will turn your country around and truly Make Argentina Great Again!” Trump stated.

Javier Milei of La Libertad Avanza lifts a chainsaw subsequent to the Buenos Aires province governor candidate Carolina Piparo of the identical celebration throughout a marketing campaign rally.

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Javier Milei of La Libertad Avanza lifts a chainsaw subsequent to the Buenos Aires province governor candidate Carolina Piparo of the identical celebration throughout a marketing campaign rally.

Tomas Cuesta/Getty Images

The response within the area was extra combined. Colombia’s left-wing president Gustavo Petro congratulated Milei on his victory, however stated the consequence was “sad for Latin America.”

The president of the most important financial system in South America was extra conciliatory. Posting on X, previously generally known as Twitter, Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva wrote, “I wish good luck and success to the new government. Argentina is a great country and deserves all our respect. Brazil will always be available to work together with our Argentine brothers.”

The 53-year-old president-elect is thought for his eccentricities and brash statements. A local weather denying provocateur, Milei as soon as described Argentine Pope Francis as “a filthy leftist” and a supporter of communists. He has by no means married, says he’s a tantric sex expert and considers his 5 Bullmastiff canine, cloned from a previous pet, his “four-legged children.” Milei will take workplace on Dec. 10.