Argentina's run-off election pits candidates against one other

 Argentina's run-off election pits candidates against one other

To choose the person who will govern the South American nation for the next four years, Argentines will cast their ballots on Sunday.

Opinion surveys show that far-right liberal Javier Meili and leftist Economy Minister Sergio Massa are drawing equal numbers of respondents.

In the first round, Mr. Miley led with 30%, and Mr. Massa won with 36.7%.

However, polls indicate that since making his vow to "blow up" Argentina's political system, Mr. Meili has made progress.

The polls close at 18:00 GMT and open at 8:00 local time.

With 40% of Argentines living in poverty, voters' main worries are soaring costs and inflation.

Many were thus taken aback when Mr. Massa, who was in charge of the ministry of economy at the time the nation's annual inflation rate hit 143%, beat Mr. Meili in the first round on October 22 and moved up to the second position.

But now that he didn't get the 45% of the vote required to win with an outright victory, Mr. Massa and Mr. Miley will square off once again.

Patricia Bullrich, a conservative candidate who finished third on October 22, has fully endorsed Mr. Miley, and surveys indicate that most of her supporters will back the self-described anarcho-capitalist.

Even while Mr. Miley seems to have a tiny advantage over his opponent according to most surveys, Sunday's contest is shaping up to be an intense conclusion to a contentious campaign.

53-year-old economist Xavier Miley has gained a devoted following because to his anti-establishment stance, particularly among young people fed up with conventional politics.

After decades of economic turbulence, people are prepared to give his extreme suggestions a try, and this is part of his attraction. He created the Libertarian Party in 2018, which is seen by voters as unblemished by previous failures. are eager to learn.

Mr. Miley has threatened to "blow up" Argentina's central bank and replaced the country's currency, the peso, with the US dollar.

Argentina's journey to adoration of the US dollar

An Argentinean chainsaw-wielding TikTok celebrity is leading the polls.

In addition, he enjoys igniting debate on social issues by proposing changes to gun control legislation, ending sex education in schools, and legalizing the sale and purchase of human organs.

Easily enraged and abusive, he has also been critical of Pope Francis, accusing him of being a communist.

The flamboyant economist, who enjoys brandishing a chainsaw and showing up to events wearing a leather jacket, has a dedicated fan base that follows him around.

Veteran politician Sergio Massa, 51, is attempting to persuade voters that he has the expertise necessary to steer the nation out of economic distress. He previously served as leader of the Chamber of Deputies before taking on the role of Economy Minister in a Peronist administration in 2022.

He claims to be the one who will ensure that the impoverished in Argentina will keep getting welfare checks and discounted public transit.

Regarding social matters, he is liberal and is in favor of Argentina's recent legalization of abortion. Unlike Mr. Miley, who denies the existence of climate change, he has also issued warnings about its hazards.

Furthermore, even though Mr. Massa is attempting to sway indecisive voters by urging them to oppose Mr. Miley, whom he characterizes as a liability, it is unlikely that he will be able to win over a sizable portion of Argentina, where many have informed pollsters from the firm CB Consultoras that they will "never vote for him" because they are so fed up with his Peronist party.