Overview
- Half the lower house (127 seats) and a third of the Senate (24 seats) are on the ballot Sunday, setting the balance of power for Javier Milei’s reform drive.
- Inflation has plunged — reported at 2.1% month-on-month in September — alongside a stated return to a budget surplus, yet recession, layoffs and shrinking real incomes have strained households.
- Milei’s movement has been rocked by corruption accusations, including leaked audio tying his sister Karina to an alleged kickback scheme and José Luis Espert quitting after admitting a $200,000 payment from a US-indicted businessman, as defections such as Marcela Pagano’s highlighted internal fissures.
- US President Donald Trump promoted a $20 billion currency-swap lifeline, with some reports citing a potential package up to $40 billion, and warned, “If he doesn’t win, we’re gone,” drawing opposition claims of interference.
- Large farmers reaffirmed support after export-tax cuts, but a heavy loss in Buenos Aires province and recent market jitters have investors eyeing whether Milei’s bloc can reach roughly one-third of Congress to steady the reform narrative.