With around 91% of the ballots counted, the A Liberdade Avança party achieved approximately 40% of the votes and should secure 64 seats in the Chamber of Deputies
Argentine president Javier Milei’s Freedom Advances party won a significant victory in the legislative elections held this Sunday (26), consolidating itself as the country’s main political force. With around 91% of the ballots counted, the party reached approximately 40% of the votes and should secure 64 seats in the Chamber of Deputies. Peronism, united under the banner Força Pátria, received around 24% of the votes and 31 seats.
In total, 127 of the 257 seats in the Chamber and 24 of the 72 seats in the Senate were renewed. In the Senate, the ruling party leads in six of the eight provinces that had seats up for grabs, which should increase its influence in the House.
The vote was marked by low participation: around 66% of voters went to the polls, the lowest rate since the return of democracy in 1983. For the first time, the country used the single paper ballot system, which increased waiting times in some locations, but without recording any relevant incidents.
Milei adopted a discreet tone when voting in the morning in Buenos Aires. After the vote, he retired to the Libertador hotel, where he followed the count alongside allies. The atmosphere among supporters was one of euphoria, as the result strengthens the government after months marked by political wear and tear and criticism of the economic agenda.
Legislative progress is considered crucial for Milei. Since taking office, some of his austerity and reform proposals have faced resistance in Congress, which has even overturned presidential vetoes in areas such as education and health. With the expansion of its bench and the possibility of alliances with the PRO, of former president Mauricio Macri, the government should have more room to approve measures and avoid defeats.
The victory also represents a setback for Peronism, which arrived at the elections divided and weakened. The governor of the province of Buenos Aires, Axel Kicillof, the main opposition leader, stated after voting that he remains willing to dialogue with the government, but criticized the lack of contact on the part of Casa Rosada.
The result consolidates the role of the elections as a barometer for Milei’s administration, which reaches the halfway point of its term with inflation slowing down after a tough fiscal adjustment and strong support from the United States government to avoid exchange rate imbalances in recent weeks. With the new balance of forces in the Legislature, the Argentine president should have a more favorable scenario to advance his economic and political plan over the next two years.
