A second round of voting is scheduled for November 19 to determine the new president of Argentina. The two contenders are Sergio Massa, the current Argentine economy minister, and the political novice Javier Milei. Neither candidate secured sufficient votes in the initial round.

Following the tallying of just over 76 percent of the votes on Sunday, Massa emerged with approximately 36 percent, while Milei garnered over 30 percent. However, neither candidate reached the required majority to clinch victory, prompting the elimination of a third candidate who had received 24 percent of the votes. Consequently, Massa and Milei will go head-to-head in the November runoff.

Sergio Massa, a 51-year-old with over a year of experience as the Minister of Economy in Argentina, has defied expectations with his popularity, despite the country grappling with severe inflation and poverty.

In contrast, the 53-year-old political newcomer, Javier Milei, has made waves in the political scene. His unorthodox methods, such as brandishing a chainsaw in meetings to emphasize his plans for state budget cuts, have garnered attention. Some have drawn parallels between his populist approach and that of former American President Donald Trump.

Milei’s agenda includes the abolition of various public services, including the Ministries of Health, Education, and Environment. He opposes abortion and advocates for easier access to firearms. He is unmarried and owns four mastiffs, which he has named after prominent liberal economists.