Argentina presidential election run-off: summary

Argentine presidential candidate Javier Milei's electoral campaign closing event in Cordoba

A supporter of Argentine presidential candidate Javier Milei holds a fake chainsaw during the closing event of Milei's electoral campaign ahead of the November 19 runoff election, in Cordoba, Argentina, November 16, 2023. REUTERS/Matias Baglietto

What we know

The Latin American nation is the largest debtor of the IMF after a $44 billion loan from the organisation
The necessary votes needed to be declared as the next president of Argentina is 45%
None of the candidates pulled enough votes to be declared the winner of the presidential election held on October 22, setting the course for a run-off
Argentina’s economy minister Sergio Massa, 51, represents the ruling Union por la Patria (UP) came first with 37%
Run-off opponent Javier Milei, 53, represents the libertarian La Libertad Avanza and came second with 30%
The two candidates are set to square off in the presidential run-off election on November 19
The winner of the presidential run-off election will assume office on December 10

What they said

Sergio Massa, in a television interview on November 15 said, “Argentina has a problem, the programme with the IMF, which is inflationary, which needs to be re-discussed. We want to re-discuss the programme on the basis of the result of exports." Javier Milei in a speech in August also said, “We will put an end to the parasitic, stupid, useless political caste that is sinking this country."

Edward Sakyi