With 91% of polling stations reporting, Fuerza Patria has 47% of vote against nearly 34% for Milei's ruling La Libertad Avanza.
Argentina's Trumpian President Javier Milei suffered a major defeat in Buenos Aires Province which is home to about 37% of Argentina's population.
Parties under Governor Axel Kicillof's Peronist grouping Fuerza Patria got 47.28% of the vote while Milei's Alianza LLA came in a poor second at 33.71%. You can see results for all 17 or so parties here.
President Javier Milei vowed Sunday to "accelerate" his libertarian reforms after a crushing defeat in elections in Buenos Aires Province. The regional vote carries significant weight and comes ahead of highly anticipated midterms on October 26. The 54-year-old economist has slashed public spending, dismissed tens of thousands of public employees and led a major deregulation drive since taking office in December 2023. He acknowledged his party's "clear defeat" by the centre-left Peronist movement in the elections to the legislature of Buenos Aires Province, the country's economic powerhouse. [ ... ] The 13-point gap between Milei's party and the left was far greater than opinion polls had predicted. Turnout in the election was high, at around 63 percent. Elections in Buenos Aires Province are telling as a bellwether for Argentina. [ ... ] The atmosphere, however, was more festive at the headquarters of Fuerza Patria. Buenos Aires Province Governor Axel Kicillof was greeted with cheers and chants of “Axel for president!” “Milei, the people have given you an order: you cannot govern for outsiders, for corporations, for those who have the most. Govern for the people,” Kicillof said in a victory speech.
These have not been good times for populist Milei.
In a sign of the anger among many Argentines over the affair, Milei and his sister were pelted with stones on the campaign trail in late August, with skirmishes breaking out among supporters and opponents. Karina Milei, who has not defended herself publicly, voted at around noon and left surrounded by supporters, without making any statements to the press. The ruling party's election drubbing comes three days after Milei suffered a major setback when Congress overturned his veto of a law increasing allowances for disabled people.
Looking forward to Argentina's midterms on October 26th. 😃
Axel Kicillof is being touted as a presidential contender. There are a couple of years to go before the next presidential election.
Prior to the provincial election, Gov. Kicillof made this video encouraging people in the province to vote.
In Argentina as in the United States: When you vote, you win.
