La Libertad Avanza wins midterm elections in Argentina, strengthening milei’s mandate

La Libertad Avanza (LLA), the party of President Javier Milei, secured a decisive victory in Argentina’s midterm elections, winning 40.84% of the vote and gaining new ground in the province of Buenos Aires, historically a stronghold of the progressive Peronist movement. The result marks a major political shift only a month after the left had appeared to regain momentum.

Calling the outcome a “historic day,” Milei said Argentina was beginning “the construction of a great nation.” He emphasized that the next two years will be crucial to consolidate the government’s reform agenda, noting that LLA will now hold 101 deputies instead of 37 and 20 senators instead of six, describing it as “the most reformist Parliament in Argentine history.”

One of the most notable elements of the election was the low turnout, just 67.85%, the lowest since Argentina’s return to democracy in 1983. Analysts point to voter fatigue and economic frustration as contributing factors. Despite that, the scale of LLA’s victory exceeded expectations: pre-election polls suggested a tight race between LLA at 36% and the left-leaning coalition Fuerza Patria (FP) at 34%. Instead, most regions in the country turned LLA’s signature purple, shifting the balance of power in Congress.

The financial markets are expected to react quickly, with many anticipating a short-term boost to Argentine stocks and bonds. The result is also being celebrated in Washington: the United States under Donald Trump recently backed Milei with a $40 billion support package to help stabilize the peso and strengthen the government during the next phase of reforms.

Since taking office after winning the presidency in 2023 with 56% of the vote, Milei’s approval ratings have slipped to 38%, in part due to his severe austerity measures. While his policies have reduced inflation dramatically—from 200% to around 31%—they have also led to deep spending cuts, particularly affecting healthcare and education.

His government has also faced controversies, including the collapse of the “Libra” meme-coin he had promoted and a scandal involving alleged illicit campaign financing in Buenos Aires province. Despite this, Milei closed the campaign calling on voters to “not give up” and to support the reforms needed to “change Argentina for real.”

On the opposition side, FP struggled to rally behind a unifying leader. With Cristina Kirchner under house arrest and absent from the political stage, the coalition leaned heavily on Buenos Aires governor Axel Kicillof, whose influence was not enough to counter LLA’s surge.

Following the vote, Donald Trump congratulated Milei, saying the victory confirmed the trust placed in him by the Argentine people and praising the direction of his leadership.