Argentina elects a president on Sunday. Voters have to choose between an anarcho-capitalist who campaigns with a chainsaw and an economics minister to whom we owe inflation of 148%. We already suspect that the consequences will be painful.
It is a refrain that those who follow Argentina’s political, social or economic life, even from a distance, have already heard: the country is going through the “worst crisis”. This time for at least two decades; at other times for half a century or even “in its entire history.”
Unfortunately, superlatives are not out of place. The year was difficult for the country’s economy, which contracted by around 3%. Per capita income is expected to fall 15% below 2011 levels.
More and more poor people
More than 40% of the population lives below the poverty line, up from 7% just over ten years ago. Today, an estimated six out of 10 Argentine children under 18 live in households considered poor.
The recession is already likely to be deep-rooted and inflation is expected to reach 185% by the end of the year. This is what the candidate who emerges victorious from tomorrow’s presidential election will have to deal with.
CHOICE BETWEEN PLAGUE AND CHOLERA
The choice presented to Argentine voters is a real torment: either they bring to power the Minister of Economy, Sergio Massa, who saw a 148% increase in inflation under his leadership, or they hand the presidency to Javier Milei, the former Singer of a converted rock group, economist and who was called “El loco”, the crazy one, at school because of his tantrums.
In fact, many today consider the political program he proposed to be completely crazy. Javier Milei calls, among other things, for the closure of the central bank, the cancellation of government programs and the introduction of the American dollar as Argentina’s currency.
Responding to an electorate made up of many young people, particularly men, who often claim they have had enough of the entire Argentine system, Milei repeatedly takes on the “thugs” and “thieves” of the political class.
Provocative and worrying
In addition to campaigning with a chainsaw to show what government programs will face if elected, Javier Milei destroyed a piñata on live television representing the central bank, which he blames for contributing to triple-digit inflation in the country.
In reality, he doesn’t do anything like other politicians. He only has a small circle of confidants, including his sister Karina, who has become his campaign manager. Milei, who is single, postulated earlier this year that she could become his “first lady.” It is also said that his closest friend was his dog Conan, whom he cloned for $50,000 after his death in 2017.
Javier Milei, an admirer of Donald Trump, entered politics with the aim of destroying the system. Given the situation in which the Argentine economy finds itself, the fact that Sergio Massa still has a chance of winning suggests the concern that Javier Milei is raising.
Sergio Massa
Photo AFP
- 51 years old
- Union for the Fatherland
- Minister of Economic Affairs
- 37% in the first round of the presidential election
Javier Milei
Photo AFP
- 53 years
- La Libertad Avanza
- MP, economist
- 30% in the first round
