Argentina’s Liberty Advance Wins Midterm Elections

In a surprising turn of events, Argentina’s Freedom and Progressive Party, under President Javier Milei, clinched a decisive victory in the midterm elections. This win empowers the liberal president to further dismantle two decades’ worth of socialist policies.

Liberty Advance garnered nearly 41 percent of the votes, significantly outpacing the left-wing coalition, which received about 31.7 percent. The Liberty Advance added 64 new seats to its tally, now holding a total of 93 seats in the House of Representatives, while the leftist Fuerza Patria coalition lost four seats, now totaling 97.

This electoral outcome means Milei’s party triumphed in 16 out of the country’s 23 provinces along with the Federal District of Buenos Aires. Interestingly, in the capital—where Milei’s party faced a setback in local elections just last month—parliamentary candidate Diego Santilli narrowly beat his left-wing opponent, winning by just over 1 percent. This came after a 14-point loss for Liberty Advance in the earlier election. Santilli’s unexpected win is notable, especially since he entered the race late. A former candidate from Liberty Advance, José Luis Espert, was stripped of his seat due to involvement in a money laundering scandal. Reports suggest that Milei’s sister, Carina, and consultant Santiago Caputo influenced Espert’s withdrawal from the race, clearing the way for Santilli.

The libertarian party also excelled in Senate elections, winning six out of eight contested seats and becoming the largest party there with 20 seats. The left-wing coalition, despite holding 28 seats, remains a fragmented group with limited influence against Milei’s supporters.

This victory is perceived as a strong endorsement for Milei, who made history as the first libertarian third-party presidential candidate across the globe in 2023. It also signals a public rejection of the entrenched “Peronist” political system, once led by former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, who remains a dominant figure on the Argentine left even post her prison sentence for corruption.

“Not even the staunchest [leftist] could have anticipated such disparities at the national level,” noted one source.

In a speech to supporters, Milei emphasized that the win was a clear sign of public trust, enabling the party to move past the struggles faced during its first two years in office and to focus on revitalizing Argentina’s economy.

“Initially, we aimed to prevent Argentina from going over the edge, given the dire conditions we inherited,” Milei stated. “We’ve emerged from that phase, and today Argentina is globally recognized for our achievements over the past two years.”

He assured his audience of a commitment to making Argentina the freest nation and that he intends to uphold agreements made with all Argentines, whether or not they supported him. His outreach appears to include members from other parties who are not aligned with the Kirchner coalition.

“There are numerous individuals and senators from different parties with whom we can reach basic agreements, unlike those who cling to outdated ideas,” Milei remarked.

Interestingly, the United States played a role in these midterm elections. Just two weeks ago, Milei visited Washington and received a welcoming reception from President Donald Trump, who indicated his readiness to back agreements aimed at stabilizing the Argentine economy.

Trump commented, “This election is crucial. It’s significant and the world is paying attention, although it comes with its challenges. But they’re on the path to recovery now.” He expressed that the outcome of this election would affect U.S. willingness to invest in Argentina.

Following the election results, Trump publicly congratulated Milei, calling it a significant win for a candidate he supports. “Congratulations, Javier!” he wrote on his online platform.

Milei reciprocated the gesture on social media, describing Trump as “a great friend to the Republic of Argentina.” He conveyed his commitment to ensuring that the people of Argentina experience freedom and prosperity.

“You can count on me to fight for a better future,” Milei assured.