Argentina has elected a far-right politician as its new president.
\Newly elected President of Argentina Javier Milei of La Libertad Avanza looks on after the polls closed in the presidential runoff. (Photo by Tomas Cuesta/Getty Images)
On Sunday, Nov. 19, far-right candidate Javier Milei won the election with at least 56% of the votes, while his opponent, economy minister Sergio Massa received 44%.
Revellers kiss while protesting against Argentine congressman and presidential candidate for the La Libertad Avanza alliance, Javier Milei. (Photo by LUIS ROBAYO/AFP via Getty Images)
Nicknamed “El Loco” – the madman – Milei has been called a “more excessive and unstable” version of former US president Donald Trump and far-right former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro.
Presidential candidate of La Libertad Avanza Javier Milei arrives at his closing rally ahead of Sunday runoff. (Photo by Tomas Cuesta/Getty Images)
Milei ran on a “chainsaw plan”, which would close the ministries of culture, women, education and others to reduce government spending.
Presidential candidate Javier Milei of La Libertad Avanza lifts a chainsaw next to his candidate to Buenos Aires Province governor, Carolina Piparo during a rally. (Photo by Tomas Cuesta/Getty Images)
Milei is anti-abortion, raising fears that he could reverse the country’s abortion laws after it finally became the biggest country in Latin America to legalize abortion in 2020 after a long push by activists.
Presidential candidate Javier Milei of La Libertad Avanza lifts a chainsaw next to Buenos Aires province governor candidate Carolina Piparo of La Libertad Avanza during a rally. (Photo by Tomas Cuesta/Getty Images)
He has called climate change “a socialist hoax” and is pushing for looser gun laws.
Supporters of Argentine presidential candidate for the La Libertad Avanza alliance Javier Milei cheer during the presidential election runoff. (Photo by LUIS ROBAYO/AFP via Getty Images)
Milei has promised to fix inflation by adopting the US dollar as the country’s official currency and abolishing the central bank.
Presidential candidate of La Libertad Avanza Javier Milei holds a hundred dollar bill with his face on it during his closing rally ahead of Sunday runoff. (Photo by Tomas Cuesta/Getty Images)
Argentinians who voted for Milei said they wanted to see change after years of living under the world’s highest inflation rates and increasing poverty.
Women from feminist organizations take part in a march in defense of legal abortion in Buenos Aires. (Photo by EMILIANO LASALVIA/AFP via Getty Images)
However, rights groups and minorities are concerned his election could reverse human rights progresses that the country has made in recent years.
