N※N

Pressure grows on Milei ahead of Argentina midterm elections

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. -milei-ahead-of-argentina-midterm-elections.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Friday, September 5th 2025 at 16:31 GMT by reuters.com
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Argentina’s 2025 Midterm Elections: Javier Milei Faces Rising Political Pressure

In the run‑up to Argentina’s midterm legislative elections slated for September 2025, President Javier Milei is under increasing scrutiny from both the political establishment and a weary electorate. Milei, a former economist and a polarizing figure in Argentine politics, has been courting a hard‑line, free‑market agenda that promises dramatic economic restructuring but also threatens to deepen social divides. As the election clock ticks, opposition parties are sharpening their attacks and voters are reevaluating the cost of Milei’s rapid reforms.

Milei’s Radical Turnaround

Milei entered the presidency in December 2023 on a platform that combined anti‑corruption rhetoric with a libertarian vision that had long appealed to a segment of Argentina’s population frustrated with decades of state intervention. His campaign promised:

• Fiscal austerity – A pledge to slash public spending by up to 20 % and eliminate what he describes as “wasteful” subsidies.
• Privatization – The sale of state assets, including parts of the national airline and energy utilities, in a bid to reduce the fiscal deficit.
• Tax reform – A flat‑rate system that eliminates the progressive income tax and replaces it with a broader consumption tax.
• Currency control – The elimination of exchange‑rate restrictions to allow a free market determination of the peso’s value.

These measures were designed to address Argentina’s chronic inflation, which has hovered around 55 % in the past year, and a debt burden that tops 80 % of the country’s GDP. Milei’s administration also pushed for a “shock” fiscal package, including a 30‑year debt restructuring plan that would shift payments to a later date.

Opposition and Public Discontent

The opposition, spearheaded by the Broad Front coalition and the Peronist Democratic Party, has called Milei’s policies “reckless and untested.” They argue that his austerity measures will disproportionately hurt the poorest households and that the rapid privatization of essential services risks creating monopolies. In the weeks before the election, a series of public protests and strikes have emerged across major cities, with workers demanding higher wages and better social security benefits.

Polling data released by the Argentine Institute for Opinion and Statistics (ISA) indicates a tightening race. According to a September 6 poll, Milei’s approval rating has fallen from a peak of 65 % in early 2024 to 42 %, while the opposition’s popularity has surged to 35 %. The remaining 23 % of respondents remain undecided, highlighting the volatility of the electorate.

Economic Uncertainty and External Pressures

Milei’s economic plans have been met with skepticism from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In a recent statement, IMF officials warned that the country’s high inflation and fragile banking sector could be exacerbated by the proposed fiscal tightening. The U.S. Treasury Department has also cautioned that further currency devaluation could trigger capital flight.

Argentina’s economic policy is further complicated by its debt situation. In a February 2024 report, the Argentine Treasury announced a 12 % increase in debt repayments, citing the “necessity of maintaining fiscal responsibility.” Critics argue that the increased burden will limit the government’s ability to finance public projects and could stoke social unrest.

The Path to the 2025 Elections

The midterm elections will decide 130 seats in the Chamber of Deputies, making them crucial for Milei’s legislative agenda. The president will need a majority to push through his reforms, but the opposition has already formed a coalition that could hold the balance of power. The electoral timetable shows that the first round will take place on September 12, with a possible second round in October if no candidate secures an absolute majority.

Milei’s campaign has been relentless. He has held a series of “freedom rallies” in Rosario, Córdoba, and Mar del Plata, where he outlined a vision of an “Argentina without the state.” The opposition, meanwhile, has focused on community outreach, organizing “social service forums” to demonstrate how the government’s austerity could harm essential services.

Looking Ahead

The stakes are high. If Milei secures a legislative majority, Argentina could see a rapid pivot toward market liberalization and potentially reduced inflation, but the country risks further social polarization. Conversely, a loss could usher in a return to more interventionist policies and a potential rebound in public spending.

The 2025 midterm elections are not merely a test of Milei’s political viability; they will also serve as a barometer for the Argentine public’s appetite for radical economic change. The next weeks will see the nation’s leaders sharpening their messaging, while voters weigh the promise of economic stability against the reality of rising inequality and austerity.

Only time will tell whether Milei can overcome the mounting pressure and secure the mandate to reshape Argentina’s economy, or whether the electorate will choose a different path for the country’s future.