President Javier Milei said that La Libertad Avanza’s (LLA) resounding win in Argentina’s midterm elections will be a key step for carrying out reforms and “making Argentina great again.” In a speech given at the party’s electoral headquarters, the president shifted from his traditional confrontational style, stating that he was willing to work alongside members of the opposition, although he specifically left out Kirchnerism and Peronism.
An exultant Milei stepped onto the stage wearing a suit with a blue tie instead of his usual black leather jacket. Despite the more formal look, he still kicked off his appearance by singing his favorite song, La Renga’s Panic Show, as he always does in his rallies.
The president said that when the new lawmakers take their seats in Congress on December 10, Argentina “will have the most reformist Congress in Argentine history” and that LLA is committed to making Argentina “the most free country in the world.”
A promise to rekindle negotiations Milei also said LLA will be more open to negotiating in the future, congratulating opposition parties — except for Peronism, whom he called “misfits” — for their results and especially mentioning those fronts that respond to governors.
“There are dozens of deputies and senators from other parties with whom we can find basic agreements,” he said. “We want to invite most of the governors who will have legislative representation to discuss these agreements together.”
According to the president, Argentines “decided to leave behind 100 years of ruin and persist on the path of freedom, progress, and growth.” He went on to say that Sunday’s election marks the start of the “building of a great Argentina.”
Milei thanked all members of his cabinet and other high-ranking officials, as well as PRO president Mauricio Macri, his biggest political frenemy, recalling the meeting in which they decided to join forces so Milei could win the presidential election in 2023.
“This result is not more and not less than the confirmation of the mandate we took in 2023,” Milei said. “Today, the entire country confirmed its will to irreversibly change the destiny of our homeland.”
Outside LLA’s headquarters at the Hotel Libertador in Buenos Aires City, hundreds of supporters gathered to celebrate.
“We are here because we are free,” Oscar Alfredo, 64, a truck driver who was forced to retire after an accident, told the Herald. He said that the result didn’t surprise him. “You see, I have great faith in God, and I believe that this man [Milei] was chosen by God.” He said that, despite the pension cuts affecting him and the “critical” economic situation, he supports the administration.
“This president told us that we have to tighten our belts and power through it. Well, let’s power through it.”
With additional reporting from Facundo Iglesia at the LLA headquarters
