The legislative elections in the province of Buenos Aires, with nearly 40% of the Argentine electorate turning out, represented a severe blow for President Javier Milei. With 96% of the polling stations counted, the Peronist front Fuerza Patria obtained 47% of the votes, surpassing La Libertad Avanza by more than 13 points, which reached 33.8%. Not even the alliance with the PRO (Progressive Party of Argentina), the party of former President Mauricio Macri, managed to reverse the trend, which left the ruling party in a weakened position.
From her campaign center in La Plata, Milei acknowledged defeat: "Today we lost and we must accept it," she declared. However, she reaffirmed that there will be no changes in the government's leadership: "We will not back down one inch; we will accelerate our course." She also promised to correct political mistakes to improve ahead of the national elections in October.
Peronist Celebration and Message from Cristina Kirchner
Governor Axel Kicillof celebrated surrounded by Peronist leaders and candidates, while a recorded message from former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, who is under house arrest due to legal proceedings stemming from alleged corruption accusations, was played. Kicillof issued a warning to Milei: “The ballot boxes demanded change. You can't govern only for the powerful. You have to govern for the people.”
Consequences for the ruling party
The result represents a major setback for Milei, who had turned this provincial election into a national crusade against Kirchnerism. Although she tried to downplay the impact by calling it a "technical tie" or a "worthy defeat," the difference was clear. Now, all eyes turn to the national legislative elections on October 26, where the new balance of power in Congress will be decided. A defeat marked by internal failures
Milei's "La Libertad Avanza" failed to handle the scandal sparked by leaked audio recordings of a former official alleging corruption in the purchase of medicines for people with disabilities. Karina Milei, the president's sister and a key player in the government, was at the center of the controversy. Days later, the leak of her private conversations sparked an internal crisis.
This episode directly affected the structure of the so-called libertarian power. Karina Milei, considered indispensable in the cabinet, now bears the responsibility for a failed electoral campaign in the country's most important district.
The Opposition Gains Ground
With the government weakened, the opposition took advantage of the situation to advance in Congress. In just a few days, it managed to overturn the presidential veto of a law that increased funding for people with disabilities and obtained a partial approval to limit the use of presidential decrees. Everything indicates that the legislative confrontation will intensify.
The resounding defeat forces the president to reconsider his approach, although it is unclear how he will do so. So far, he has shown little willingness to engage in dialogue and a confrontational style that makes it difficult to build consensus. His narrative, marked by an almost messianic vision of his role—fueled by the idea of a crusade inspired by "the forces of heaven"—seems to clash with the increasingly urgent demands of governability.
