Argentina's Election: A Nail-Biter Showdown Between Libertarian and Far-Right Candidates

Argentina's presidential runoff election has ended with a tight race between Peronist Economy Minister Sergio Massa and radical libertarian outsider Javier Milei. Massa, who was at the helm during the country's worst economic crisis in two decades, is facing anger from voters over triple-digit inflation and rising poverty. Milei, the slight favorite in pre-vote opinion polls, is promising economic shock therapy, including shutting the central bank and slashing spending. The election is seen as a choice between the "lesser evil" for many Argentines, with fears of austerity under Milei's reforms or anger at Massa over the economic crisis. The winner will take office on Dec. 10 and will have to address the country's empty coffers, debt program, high inflation, and capital controls.