BUENOS AIRES, May 18 (Reuters) — Argentine President Javier Milei secured a critical political boost on Sunday as his endorsed candidates emerged victorious in a key legislative election in the capital city of Buenos Aires — a major symbolic and strategic win for his administration less than two years into his presidency.
With over 99% of the votes counted, Milei’s party, La Libertad Avanza, led the legislative race with 30.1% of the vote. The list was headed by government spokesperson Manuel Adorni, a vocal supporter of Milei’s libertarian agenda.
“This is a turning point for the ideas of freedom,” Milei declared triumphantly from the stage at his party’s headquarters, flanked by members of his cabinet. “We are making history in Argentina.”
The election, though local, was widely seen as a litmus test for Milei’s political project and his controversial economic overhaul, which includes drastic spending cuts, deregulation efforts, and an aggressive drive to shrink the state.
Defeating Traditional Power Blocs
Leandro Santoro, a center-left candidate backed by the Peronist movement of former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, came in second with 27.4% of the vote. Despite entering the race as the favorite in most opinion polls, his campaign failed to overcome Milei’s momentum.
In third place was Silvia Lospennato of the center-right PRO party, which garnered 15.9%. Once an ally of Milei, the PRO is now positioning itself as an alternative center-right force and is vying for leadership of the broader conservative bloc.
Sunday’s election decided half of the 60 seats in the Buenos Aires City Legislature, making it a significant benchmark for all major political forces ahead of Argentina’s national midterm elections in October 2025.
“Freedom Won — Again”
“This was not just a local election,” Adorni told supporters. “It was a vote between two models: the entrenched political elite versus the vision of individual liberty. And today, freedom won — again.”
Milei’s administration framed the Buenos Aires vote as a referendum on his national economic policies. Since taking office in December 2023, the president has launched a sweeping libertarian transformation that has sharply divided public opinion but attracted praise from international markets.
Under his leadership, Argentina recently recorded its first annual budget surplus in 14 years, and the administration claims to have significantly reduced monthly inflation, which had spiraled under previous governments. However, these reforms have also led to sharp cuts in public subsidies, currency devaluation, and increased social tensions, especially among lower-income groups.
Rising Popularity Amid Economic Pain
Despite economic hardships and protests over public spending cuts, Milei’s popularity has held steady. His rhetoric targeting what he calls “the caste” — Argentina’s traditional political class — continues to resonate, particularly with younger voters and the business sector.
Mariel Fornoni, a political analyst from Management & Fit, noted: “The government’s main strength is its ability to control the narrative and claim results, even amid economic discomfort. The Buenos Aires result validates their messaging and gives them momentum going into October.”
Implications for National Politics
The Buenos Aires victory strengthens Milei’s hand in advancing legislation and bolsters his influence over the opposition. It also sends a warning to traditional political coalitions, including the Peronists and PRO, that they are rapidly losing ground to Milei’s anti-establishment wave.
Analysts suggest the win could translate into broader electoral gains in the upcoming midterm elections, which will determine the composition of the national Congress — critical for Milei to implement the next phase of his ambitious reform agenda.
As the president celebrated with supporters in the capital, he emphasized that the journey is far from over. “This is just the beginning. Argentina is waking up. The future belongs to those who fight for freedom.”