Argentina's ruling Peronist coalition smashed expectations to lead the country's general election on Sunday.
This sets the stage for a polarized run-off vote next month between Economy Minister Sergio Massa and far-right libertarian radical Javier Milei.
Massa had 36.6% of the vote, ahead of Milei on just over 30%, while conservative Patricia Bullrich was behind on 23.8% with near 98% of the vote counted, a result that defied pre-election polls that had predicted a libertarian win. Argentines had flocked to the polls on Sunday amid the economic woes and rising anger with the traditional elite.
Milei, meanwhile, is proposing radical moves such as dollarizing the economy and has criticized major trade partners China and Brazil. He also is in favor of slashing the size of government and is anti-abortion. "We have never had so much polarization," said 72-year-old pensioner Silvia Monto as she voted in Buenos Aires on Sunday.Milei has pledged to "chainsaw" the economic and political status quo, luring some angry voters to his tear-it-all-down message, fed up with rising prices outstripping salaries.
"We are faced with the most important election of the last 100 years," he said. "If we work together we can win, if we work together we can recover our country."
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