21 Nov 2023

Argentina elects Javier Milei president

From Morning Report, 6:28 am on 21 November 2023
Argentine presidential candidate Javier Milei of La Libertad Avanza party votes during Argentina's runoff presidential election, in Buenos Aires, Argentina November 19, 2023.

Argentine presidential candidate Javier Milei votes during Argentina's runoff presidential election, in Buenos Aires, Argentina 19 November 2023. Photo: AFP/ NurPhoto

Argentina has elected Javier Milei, a self-styled radical outsider and former TV pundit, to be their next president.

He won 56% of the vote, compared to the 44% won by Sergio Massa of the ruling left wing Peronist party.

Milei rode a wave of frustration to the polls - declaring that drastic changes are needed in the country, which has been ravaged by debt and inflation.

Addressing supporters in Buenos Aires, Javier Milei said he would plot a radically different course and cut back on what he called the "omni-present state" that has brought only suffering to the majority.

Among his promises is to do away with the central bank and replace the peso with the US dollar.

Correspondent Joel Richards is based in Buenos Aires. He spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.