In Argentina, voters cast their ballots in a crowded primary Sunday. Far-right populist Javier Milei emerged as the surprising lead, receiving the largest number of votes, about 30%. The 52-year-old is an admirer of former U.S. President Trump and has vowed to shutter Argentina’s central bank, opposes sex education, wants to facilitate the purchasing of guns and is a climate crisis denier. Milei has served in Argentina’s Congress since 2021. He addressed supporters Sunday.
Javier Milei: “We are facing the end of the caste model, that model based on that atrocity which says that where there is a need, a right is born, but forgets that someone has to pay for that right, whose ultimate manifestation is that aberration called social justice.”
Argentina’s current president, Alberto Fernández, is not seeking reelection as the country faces a worsening economic crisis with soaring inflation. The general election is scheduled for October.