Link to President Javier Milei's libertarian coalition secures a sweeping midterm win, strengthening his mandate for deep spending cuts and economic deregulation, despite growing concerns over poverty and public servicesPresident Javier Milei's libertarian coalition secures a sweeping midterm win, strengthening his mandate for deep spending cuts and economic deregulation, despite growing concerns over poverty and public services
Argentine President Javier Milei has secured a major political victory in the country’s midterm elections, with his party, La Libertad Avanza, winning nearly 41% of the vote. The outcome gives Milei significantly greater control in Congress and boosts his ability to implement sweeping austerity and free-market reforms.
His coalition will now hold 13 of 24 contested Senate seats and 64 of 127 lower-house seats, a dramatic increase from the mere seven Senate and 37 lower-house seats his party held before. Supporters flooded the streets of Buenos Aires Sunday night, celebrating what many described as the consolidation of Milei’s “revolution.”
A Mandate for Radical Change
Milei campaigned on promises to slash public spending and overhaul Argentina's struggling economy — famously wielding a real chainsaw at rallies to symbolize his plan to cut government waste. Since taking office in 2023, he has cut funding for public services including education, health care, pensions, and infrastructure, while laying off tens of thousands of public workers.
Milei claims credit for slowing inflation — which had reached triple digits before his presidency — and for cutting the fiscal deficit. International investors and U.S. officials, including former President Donald Trump, have praised his economic reforms.
“He’s making us all look good,” Trump said on social media following the midterm results. The U.S. recently backed Milei with a $40 billion support package, a mix of currency swaps and private investment pledges — but only, Trump warned before the election, if Milei remained in power.
Support Amid Sacrifice
Despite economic pain, many voters said they are still willing to give Milei time to complete his reforms. “Now, thank God, freedom has won,” said Ezequiel, a supporter in Buenos Aires. “We want our daughter to grow up in this beautiful country.”
But the enthusiasm is not universal. Critics say the president's spending cuts have devastated public services, increased unemployment, and worsened poverty.
“You see a lot of suffering,” said Veronica, a retired police officer. “Retirees, families with disabled children, young people — we’re all struggling. Many factories have closed.”
Juliana, a social worker in Tucumán, worries that essential programs, such as funding for people with disabilities, are at risk of being slashed again. “Our salaries stay the same while everything else goes up. We don’t see change.”
Still, the midterm results suggest that a significant portion of the population supports Milei’s rejection of Argentina’s decades-old Peronist economic model, which he blames for inflation and stagnation. "Argentines showed that they do not want to return to the failed model… the model of a useless state," Milei declared after the results.
Challenges Ahead
With a stronger grip on Congress, Milei is expected to accelerate reforms ahead of the 2027 presidential election, where he may seek re-election. But the durability of his political momentum will depend on whether everyday Argentinians start seeing tangible improvements in their lives.
Turnout for the election was just 67.9%, the lowest in decades — a sign of widespread political fatigue. Some voters backed Milei reluctantly. “We’re on the right path,” said Dardo, a small business owner, “but the middle and working classes are suffering too much.”
Others voiced skepticism about the U.S.-backed economic lifeline, warning that it may come with strings attached. "We're going to have to pay for it at some point," Dardo added.
For now, though, the markets are expected to respond positively to Milei’s win, as his strengthened mandate gives him the green light to push his libertarian vision even further — for better or worse.
(Associated Medias) - Tutti i diritti sono riservati(Associated Medias) - Tutti i diritti sono riservati