Argentine presidential candidate Javier Milei reacts during the closing event of his electoral campaign ahead of the November 19 runoff election, in Cordoba, Argentina, November 16, 2023. REUTERS/Matias Baglietto/file photo Acquire Licensing Rights
BUENOS AIRES, Nov 19 (Reuters) – When Argentine libertarian Javier Milei announced his entry into politics in 2020 in a bid to “blow up” the system, few predicted that three years later the wild-haired economist and former TV pundit could reach the presidency. Now he’s pulled it off.
Milei has railed against the “thieves” of the political elite, praised gangster Al Capone for his free-market credentials and on live TV smashed a piñata of the central bank, which he blames for contributing to Argentina’s triple-digit inflation and intends to shut.
The 53-year-old self-proclaimed anarcho-capitalist won a runoff election on Sunday against Peronist economy chief Sergio Massa, his combative stance a lightning rod for voter anger at the country’s worst economic crisis in decades.
Results showed Milei on around 56% of the vote and Massa on 44%. Massa conceded defeat in a speech.
Milei’s aggressive and theatrical style – from superhero costumes…
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