Argentina elected right-wing economist/TV pundit Javier Milei as president on Sunday.
Milei won 56% of the vote, while his rival, economy minister Sergio Massa, secured 44%. Soon after the result, former US president Donald Trump congratulated him.
Argentinians hope Milei’s victory heralds a new era that will help them cope with soaring inflation and deepening poverty. His election could also signal a break from BRICS, which Argentina was invited to join in August this year. Milei has also signalled his intention to cut ties with fellow BRICS members, Brasil and China.
Milei is intriguing, to say the least. In an interview with Reuters last year, he himself seemed surprised by his political success. “In terms of political logic, I am a mistake, because what I have come to do is in fact stamp out the privileges of politicians,” Milei told Reuters.
Here are 5 facts about him that may give some insight into what his leadership could mean for Argentina:
- The 53-year-old entered politics in 2020, pledging to “blow up” the establishment, including scrapping the central bank.
- He has been compared to US presidential candidate Donald Trump, given his colourful persona. He has shown up in public in superhero costumes and brandished a chainsaw to signal his intentions to cut government spending. He has also called the pope a “filthy leftist.”
- He opposes abortion.
- He has expressed support for relaxing gun regulations.
- Analysts believe that his coalition with conservatives may restrict some of his extreme policies.
SOURCE: Reuters
