Authoritarianism
Argentina Elects Far-Right President
Javier Milei, a self-proclaimed anarcho-capitalist and libertarian who has been compared to former US president Donald Trump won Argentina’s presidential election
Bucking the trend of left-leaning politicians winning elections in Latin America, Argentine voters elected far-right candidate Javier Milei over Economy Minister Sergio Massa. The majority of Argentinians, who have suffered under tremendous 140% inflation balked at the idea of electing Massa whom many blame as responsible for their economic situation.
The 55.7% to 44.3% victory is the highest a presidential candidate has ever received since Argentina returned to democracy in 1983 after ousting dictator Leopoldo Fortunato Galtieri Castelli in June of 1982. The United States government supported Galliteri’s government under former president Ronald Regan who saw him as a rampart against communism.
Milei, who ran on a platform of minimizing the government, eliminating the Central Bank, and rebuilding the economy based on the US dollar while privatizing social services including welfare programs healthcare, and education, walked back many of those positions in political ads as the election day drew nearer. He also…
