Current:Home > ContactArgentine peso plunges after rightist who admires Trump comes first in primary vote -Dynamic Wealth Solutions
Argentine peso plunges after rightist who admires Trump comes first in primary vote
View
Date:2025-04-18 16:32:51
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — The Argentine peso plunged Monday after a 52-year—old anti-establishment candidate who admires former President Donald Trump came first in primary elections that will help determine the country’s next president.
Javier Milei rocked Argentina’s political establishment Sunday by receiving the biggest share of primary votes for presidential candidates in the October general election to determine who leads a nation battered by economic woes.
Milei wants to replace the peso with the dollar, and says that Argentina’s Central Bank should be abolished, and that he thinks that climate change is a lie. He has characterized sex education as a ploy to destroy the family, and has said that he believes that the sale of human organs should be legal. He also has said that it should be easier for Argentines to own handguns.
Argentina’s government decided to devalue the local currency by 20% early Monday morning after the surprising showing that turned Argentina into the latest country where voters have chosen an outsider candidate to express anger against the status quo. Two mainstream political coalitions have traded power for a decade in Argentina.
Operators were watching nervously Monday as the value of the peso also decreased in the parallel, or blue, market, dropping 12% by early afternoon.
Argentina requires that citizens vote, and 69 percent of the country’s 35 million voters went to the polls, each choosing candates for positions ranging from local councilman to president.
The major parties had contested races to be its presidential candiate. Millei was uncontested, and got a few points more than the candidates of parties that have dominated Argentine politics.
After doing much better than expected, the upstart candidate with long sideburns and shaggy hair who gained notoriety and a rockstar-like following by angrily ranting against the “political caste” is now a real contender for the presidency.
With around 97% of polling locations reporting, Milei had around 30% of the total vote, according to official results. The candidates in the main opposition coalition, United for Change, were at 28% and the current governing coalition, Union for the Homeland, had 27%.
In order to win the vote in two months, Milei would have to increase his share of the nation’s votes by 15%, a high hurdle even in a nation where voters tend to favor candidates they see as winners.
If one candidate doesn’t receive 45% of the vote, they would need 40% and a 10-point lead over the second-place candidate. Otherwise the race would go to a November runoff between the top two.
Celebrating in his election headquarters, Milei vowed to bring “an end to the parasitic, corrupt and useless political caste that exists in this country.”
“Today we took the first step toward the reconstruction of Argentina,” he said. “A different Argentina is impossible with the same people as always.”
Milei has been a lawmaker in the lower house of Argentina’s Congress since 2021.
Argentina is struggling with annual inflation over 100%, rising poverty and a rapidly depreciating currency, and Milei first attracted wider support by calling for the country to replace the peso with the U.S. dollar.
“I’m very happy, we’re looking for a change. We’re tired of living like this,” Franco Lesertessur, 19, said as he celebrated outside Milei’s election headquarters in downtown Buenos Aires. “All the countries that have been dollarized ended up moving forward and stopped having inflation.”
The main opposition coalition, United for Change, moved more to the right as former Security Minister Patricia Bullrich, who made toughness on crime a centerpiece of her campaign, handily beat a more centrist contender.
In the currently governing coalition, Union for the Homeland, the more business friendly candidate — Economy Minister Sergio Massa — easily beat a leftist contender but still took an overall beating from voters frustrated over the poor state of the economy, finishing in third place for total votes.
At Milei’s electoral headquarters, party leaders were ecstatic while people celebrated outside, expressing optimism that their candidate’s support would only grow in the run-up to October.
“I like his ideas about freedom. His ideas don’t scare me. People are free to choose what they want,” said Orlando Sánchez, 26, a retail worker. “If criminals walk around with guns on their belts, why can’t an ordinary citizen have one lawfully and with the proper documentation? People are clearly tired of politics, being constantly lied to.”
___
Associated Press journalists Almudena Calatrava, Débora Rey and Natacha Pisarenko contributed to this report.
veryGood! (2584)
Related
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Patrick Mahomes rallies the Chiefs to second straight Super Bowl title, 25-22 over 49ers in overtime
- Nigerian bank CEO, his wife and son, among those killed in California helicopter crash
- Shooting at Greek shipping company kills four, including owner and suspected gunman
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- Steve Ostrow, who founded famed NYC bathhouse the Continental Baths, dies at 91
- Who has the most Super Bowl wins? The teams and players with the most rings in NFL history
- Chiefs TE Travis Kelce yells at coach Andy Reid on Super Bowl sideline
- 'Malcolm in the Middle’ to return with new episodes featuring Frankie Muniz
- Mahomes, the Chiefs, Taylor Swift and a thrilling game -- it all came together at the Super Bowl
Ranking
- The Grammy nominee you need to hear: Esperanza Spalding
- Experts weigh in on the psychology of romantic regret: It sticks with people
- A female stingray at a NC aquarium becomes pregnant without a male mate. But how?
- Disney on Ice Skater Hospitalized in Serious Condition After Fall During Show
- Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
- Marathon world record-holder Kelvin Kiptum, who was set to be a superstar, has died in a car crash
- Listeria recall: More cheese products pulled at Walmart, Costco, Safeway, other stores
- Hundreds of protesters opposed to bill allowing same-sex marriage rally in Greek capital
Recommendation
Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
How Patrick Mahomes led Chiefs on a thrilling 13-play, 75-yard Super Bowl 58 winning drive
Where is the next Super Bowl? New Orleans set to host Super Bowl 59 in 2025
How Justin Bieber Supported Usher During Super Bowl Halftime Show
Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
Can candy be a healthy Valentine's Day snack? Experts share how to have a healthy holiday.
You Might've Missed This Sweet Moment Between Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's Mom During Super Bowl Win
Iceland's volcano eruption cuts off hot water supply to thousands after shooting lava 260 feet in the air