Libertarian Milei's party suffered a heavy defeat in Argentina's provincial elections

President Javier Milei's Argentine party La Libertad Avanza (Freedom Forward) suffered a heavy defeat in the provincial elections in Buenos Aires, receiving less than 34 percent of the vote.

In contrast, the center-left coalition Fuerza Patria (formerly Unión por la Patria) won around 46 percent of the vote, representing a clear victory for the opposition bloc in Argentina's most populous and economically important province, which accounts for around 40 percent of the electorate and more than 30 percent of the country's GDP.

The defeat was closely linked to voter dissatisfaction with President Milei's drastic austerity measures, which, while bringing the first budget surplus in 14 years, also led to a decline in economic output, job losses, and cuts to the social welfare system.

Another factor contributing to the negative perception was the corruption scandal surrounding Milei's sister Karina, as well as the parliament's override of the president's veto, which ultimately pushed through an increase in subsidies for people with disabilities.

Shortly after the votes were counted, Milei conceded a “clear defeat” and declared that his government would continue the reforms with greater intensity.

(reuters, euronews, sie)