Argentina’s Peronists make a comeback as far-right Milei misses the mark

Soft-spoken Sergio Massa's campaigning strategy pays off while voters seem to pull back from libertarian rival - but who will win the runoff?

After a disastrous showing in Argentina's open primaries in August, Argentina's Peronist party made a resounding comeback this week. In the latest chapter in a rollercoaster presidential election, the soft-spoken economy minister, Sergio Massa, snatched what seemed like a sure victory from the jaws of the libertarian Javier Milei, winning 36.6% of the vote against only 29.9% for Milei.

The broad margin was still not enough to avoid a runoff on 19 November between the two most dissimilar contenders imaginable. Although beset by soaring price inflation and a 40% poverty rate, Massa trounced Milei, whose promise to dollarize the economy and legalize the organ trade had catapulted him to surprise victory in August.