Argentina's President Milei Suffers Electoral Setback Buenos Aires Province

Argentine President Javier Milei and his libertarian La Libertad Avanza party faced a significant defeat in the Buenos Aires provincial elections, garnering around 34% of the vote compared to the left-wing Peronist opposition's 47%. This province is crucial, representing nearly 40% of Argentina's population and serving as a key indicator for the upcoming congressional midterms. Milei acknowledged the loss, attributing it to political mistakes and promising to analyze and correct them, but vowed to continue his administration's austerity and economic reform policies. The election results emboldened Peronist leaders like Governor Axel Kicillof, who is seen as a strengthened figure ahead of future presidential contests. Milei's government has also been shaken by a corruption scandal involving his sister Karina and associates allegedly demanding bribes for state contracts, damaging his approval ratings. Despite the setback, Milei insists on maintaining fiscal discipline and deregulation efforts amid a polarized public reaction to his austerity measures and ongoing political challenges.