Argentinians elected Javier Milei, a rightwing libertarian former TV pundit who has vowed to radically reform the nation, as their new president Sunday.
Milei secured round 56 p.c of the vote within the runoff election, with greater than 99 p.c of ballots counted. His rival, Financial system Minister Sergio Massa, conceded the election late Sunday, saying: “Clearly the outcomes will not be what we anticipated. I’ve contacted Javier Milei to congratulate him.”
Argentina’s sharp swing to the appropriate comes amid an financial disaster, with inflation hovering previous 140 p.c in October and two-fifths of the nation dwelling in poverty.
A self-described anarcho-capitalist, Milei — who has by no means held public workplace earlier than — campaigned on making radical modifications to the nation’s economic system and authorities, together with ditching the Argentine peso in favor of the U.S. greenback, eliminating the central financial institution, shuttering authorities ministries and gutting public spending.
Milei waved a chainsaw above his head at political rallies, as a logo of his promise to slash the dimensions of the state. A social conservative, he opposes abortion and euthanasia and helps fewer restrictions on gun possession.
Milei’s brash model has seen him likened to former U.S. President Donald Trump and ex-Brazilian chief Jair Bolsonaro — comparisons he has welcomed.
Trump congratulated Milei late Sunday, saying: “You’ll flip your nation round and really Make Argentina Nice Once more!”
Bolsonaro stated of Milei’s victory: “Hope will shine once more in South America.”
Previous to getting into politics in 2020, Milei was an economist and TV panelist, and spoke of his previous career as a tantric intercourse coach.
He made a collection of weird remarks all through his marketing campaign, together with that he communicates together with his lifeless canine by means of a religious medium, and that his deceased pet instructed him to run for president.
He additionally stated he helps legalizing the human organ commerce, calling it “simply one other market,” and stated “it relies upon” when requested whether or not he helps the sale of kids.