Milei’s Party Wins Argentina’s Midterm Election After Trump’s Support

President Javier Milei’s La Libertad Avanza party scored a ...

President Javier Milei’s La Libertad Avanza party scored a decisive win in Sunday’s legislative elections, consolidating support for his free-market agenda midway through his term. The results bolster his position in Congress and mark a setback for Argentina’s Peronist opposition.

The electoral contest took place in a context of crucial financial support from the United States, an assistance driven by the administration of President Donald Trump and actively managed by the Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent. This support has been fundamental for the economic stability of the country and has generated debate both locally and internationally.

La Libertad Avanza, the ruling party, obtained a broad victory at the national level with 40.84% of the votes, according to 90 percent of votes counted Sunday night. This result is significant for the two years of administration that Mr. Milei has left. The surprise was greater considering that on September 7 he had lost by 13 points in the province of Buenos Aires, a Peronist stronghold.

Milei’s Nationwide Victory

The keys to the libertarian triumph were observed in several districts. The party prevailed in the City of Buenos Aires, where it competed in alliance with the Pro, the ruling party of Buenos Aires since 2007. It also achieved resounding successes in Mendoza, Santa Fe, Entre Ríos, Chaco, San Luis, Salta, Córdoba, Jujuy, Río Negro, Neuquén, Chubut and Tierra del Fuego. In the province of Buenos Aires, an electorally heavy district, a scenario of parity was recorded.

Fuerza Patria, the Peronist (PJ) coalition linked to former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and current Buenos Aires Governor Axel Kicillof, came in second place at the national level, garnering 31.67% of the votes.

Although the PJ ratified its dominance in provinces such as Formosa, Tucumán, Santiago del Estero, Catamarca, San Juan, Santa Cruz and La Pampa, it did so by smaller margins than expected. The decrease in the province of Buenos Aires, where it did not maintain the advantage of September 7, is attributed to the passivity of the Buenos Aires mayors and revives the Peronist internal affairs on the way to 2027.

The Provincias Unidas alliance, which debuted in 14 districts from an agreement of six governors without national reference, failed to break the polarization. It harvested only 7.13% of the votes and could not win even in its own territory, which significantly hinders its plan to build a solid platform to compete for the presidency in 2027. For its part, the Frente de Izquierda occupied fourth place nationally, with almost 4% of the votes.

The balance is clearly positive for the ruling party in the future parliamentary conformation. In the Senate, La Libertad Avanza does not renew seats, but will add 13 seats, although it will still not have control of the chamber. In the Chamber of Deputies, it will increase its representation with 64 seats from December 10. This could allow it to reach, together with its partners, the third to sustain presidential vetoes. In addition, it would be in a negotiating position to access the necessary quorum to start the sessions and discuss the major reforms that are in the official folder. The key will be in the legislators in the middle, who will define the quorum and the fate of government projects.

What were the main results?

La Libertad Avanza secured 40.84% of the vote according to 90 percent of ballots counted Sunday night, a significant margin for Mr. Milei’s remaining two years in office. The victory was particularly notable given his 13-point loss in Buenos Aires province last September.

The party prevailed in Buenos Aires City (in alliance with the Pro party), and swept Mendoza, Santa Fe, Entre Ríos, Chaco, San Luis, Salta, Córdoba, Jujuy, Río Negro, Neuquén, Chubut and Tierra del Fuego. Buenos Aires province, the country’s most populous district, saw a tight race.

How did the opposition fare?

Fuerza Patria, the Peronist coalition linked to former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and Buenos Aires Governor Axel Kicillof, came in second. While the party maintained control in provinces like Formosa, Tucumán, and Santiago del Estero, margins were smaller than expected.

The Provincias Unidas alliance, representing six provincial governors, failed to break the political polarization with just 7.13% of votes. The leftist Frente de Izquierda took fourth place with nearly 4%.

Argentines vote in high-stakes test of Milei's libertarian visionWhat does this mean for Congress?

La Libertad Avanza will add 13 Senate seats and 64 seats in the Chamber of Deputies from December 10. While still lacking Senate control, the gains could help Mr. Milei sustain presidential vetoes and advance his reform agenda with support from allied legislators.

What role did U.S. financial support play?

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent orchestrated crucial financial assistance to Argentina, including a $20 billion currency swap line between the Argentine Central Bank and the U.S. Treasury, plus $1 billion to purchase pesos and prevent devaluation. President Trump ordered the unprecedented aid to support Mr. Milei, an ideological ally, though he warned the assistance depends on Milei’s electoral performance.

This content was produced by a LA NACION team with AI assistance