BUENOS AIRES, Nov 20 (Reuters) – Argentines expressed a mixture of ecstasy and trepidation on Monday after libertarian outsider Javier Milei, pledging radical fixes to the economy, swept to power with an election win over Peronist government rival Sergio Massa.
Milei, who will take office on Dec. 10, marks a major direction change for Argentina, which is battling with inflation nearing 150%, capital controls that impede business, two-fifths of the population in poverty and a looming recession.
The wild-haired former TV pundit, who some have compared to former U.S. and Brazilian presidents Donald Trump and Jair Bolsonaro, only entered politics recently, but was able to ride a wave of voter anger at the status quo.
“It’s a great unknown,” said Guillermo Toledo, a 51-year-old university professor in the capital Buenos Aires, who said he did not vote for Milei.
“It’s like a leap into the void. God willing he surprises us… Let’s hope that people haven’t made a mistake, but hey, we have to respect what the majority decided.”
Milei’s win brought flag-waving crowds on Sunday night out to the Obelisk in downtown Buenos Aires, a traditional rallying point for supporters to cheer election or…
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