The Argentinian Election Part Two: It’s All Over Now
“It’s a nightmare,” Alicia said, as she walked into the room. She had just heard the news that the government had conceded the election.
It certainly didn’t look good, as the results came up on the TV screen: 55.7% of voters supported the anarcho-capitalist Javier Milei, who won by three million votes. The result of the run-off, on Sunday afternoon, came quicker than expected.
A few minutes later, Alicia’s mother Telma spoke on the phone from Buenos Aires and said, “It’s the return of the dictatorship.” Both women are old enough to remember the trauma of those years, 1976-82. They know how dangerous the denialist rhetoric has been from Milei’s running mate, Villarruel.
It seemed over the last two weeks that the Peronists might be capable of countering Milei’s highly emotive arguments. The government candidate, Sergio Massa, certainly seemed to win the presidential debate that was televised a week ago. But reasonable arguments did not seem to matter when it came to casting votes. Outside the “bunker” or temporary headquarters of Milei’s Advance Liberty Party in Buenos Aires on Sunday night, his mostly young supporters being randomly interviewed by a journalist from a pro-government TV channel were jubilant. “People are not stupid,” one boy said, “I can’t stand it anymore. We’re tired of corruption.” Another mocked, “How are you feeling now that you (the Peronists) are so low?”
Meanwhile the television pundits kept arguing. How would Milei work with his recently-made allies, Mauricio Macri and Patricia Bullrich, representatives of the conservative PRO Party? How many Milei voters were primarily protesting against the existing government, rather than supporting Milei’s policies? Much room for guesswork, filling airtime, but nobody had to wait for long. Accompanied by his sister Karina, who, according to some, is his muse and inspiration, and to a soundtrack of heavy metal music, Javier Milei took to the stage and immediately announced “the end of Argentinian decadence”.
There was no holding him back. “We will be a world power again,” he said, emphasising also that there will be “no room for gradualism,” and that “we are embracing the ideas of freedom again.” Without providing any real detail, Milei relied on claiming his place in history: “An old way of politics has finished, a new one has begun”.
Before the new way of politics begins, however, the next 20 days prior to Milei becoming President will be important. Milei’s intentions or threats to dollarize the economy and “explode” the Central Bank during a period when inflation is already over 140% may well lead to a run on the dollar at the banks. Sergio Massa is hinting at taking leave of absence as finance minister. The outgoing president, Fernandez, is meeting Milei today, and he could decide to quit. People with savings, usually in dollars, may panic. Poverty which affects 40% of the population could become desperation and crime increase. And, before December 10th, Milei could just shrug his shoulders and deny any responsibility. Frightening times financially, with more probable shocks to come, from Milei (who has declared his admiration of Thatcher, Reagan and Churchill) on pensions, union legislation, abortion rights and the possible pardoning of former torturers, military and police officers involved in the dictatorship.
As Milei’s supporters were chanting last night: “Viva la Libertad, carajo!” Which roughly translates as “Long live fucking liberty!” Milei and his followers certainly have a way with words.