The challenge is one of the most contentious and uncertain in the country’s history. The climate is very tense, characterized by rampant poverty and inflation of around 140%. The party of the ultra-liberal right-wing candidate La Libertad Avanza accused the National Gendarmerie of being involved in organizing a “colossal fraud” in the first round of voting, when he lost to Sergio Massa (29.9% against 36.7%). . The National Electoral Chamber: “Unfounded rumours”. 76% voter turnout
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Argentina is back at the ballot box. Today, November 19, the presidential election took place between the ultra-liberal right-wing candidate Javier Milei (La Libertad Avanza) and the representative of the center-left Peronism and current Minister of Economy Sergio Massa (Unión por la patria). . Voting began at 12 p.m. and ended at 10 p.m. (Italian time): there were around 35 million voters, including 436,000 abroad. The voter turnout was 76%. The distribution of the first official data should begin around 10 p.m. local time, in Italy at 2 a.m. In the first round on October 22nd, Massa came out on top with 36.7%, while Milei got 29.9%. While waiting for the results, the mood in the country is very tense: Milei’s party has accused the National Gendarmerie of participating in organizing a “colossal fraud” in the first round of voting. A step that prompted the National Electoral Chamber to take a stand: There was no basis for rumors of alleged electoral fraud. In fact: “They are completely unfounded versions, since they are not even accompanied by online arguments, but they create a climate of mistrust,” said Sebastián Schimmel, secretary of the NC’s campaign department. In order to monitor the correct conduct of the elections, the parties of both candidates have mobilized armies of over 100,000 observers each.
The votes of the undecided are fundamental
Even beyond the allegations from Milei’s party, the entire country is anxiously awaiting the result of the vote. The challenge is one of the most contentious and uncertain in the country’s history. With inflation at around 140% and poverty at 40%, voters say analysts would not be happy with either candidate. On the one hand, Massa represents the exponent of the government that has led the country to “economic ruin”. On the other hand, Milei – a former television polemicist who presents himself as a “caste opponent” – seems to many to be too amateurish to be able to lead Argentina in such a difficult economic time. According to experts, the votes of the undecided, which polls estimate at around 10 million, will prove to be fundamental. The results of the October 22 polls had already completely reversed the picture that had emerged in the general primaries in August.
