President Milei vowed to intensify reforms despite a crushing electoral setback in Buenos Aires province.
BUENOS AIRES – Argentina’s President Javier Milei has pledged to speed up his libertarian reforms despite a heavy loss in Buenos Aires provincial elections, where his La Libertad Avanza (LLA) party trailed the centre-left Fuerza Patria coalition by 13 points.
With 91 percent of votes counted, Fuerza Patria secured more than 47 percent against LLA’s 34 percent. The province, which contributes over 30 percent of Argentina’s GDP and holds 40 percent of voters, is seen as a bellwether ahead of October’s midterm polls.
Admitting to “mistakes” but refusing to change course, Milei said, “We will deepen and accelerate it,” during a subdued event in Mar del Plata. His administration has pursued sweeping austerity measures, deregulation, and mass public sector layoffs since December 2023.
The defeat comes amid a corruption scandal involving his sister, Karina Milei, and rising anger over economic pressures, despite his progress on inflation and fiscal balance.