Buenos Aires — Defeated Argentinian presidential candidate Patricia Bullrich signalled on Wednesday she will support far-right libertarian Javier Milei in November’s polarised run-off against Peronist economy minister Sergio Massa.
“The urgency of the moment forces us not to be neutral,” conservative Bullrich told a press conference. “Argentina cannot start a new Kirchnerist cycle headed by Sergio Massa.”
Bullrich amassed 23.8% of the vote in Sunday’s first round election, finishing third behind surprise front-runner Massa on 36.7% and Milei on just over 30% — a result that defied pre-election polls that had predicted a Milei win.
“For Argentina to move forward it needs a root change,” Bullrich said. “We have our differences with Javier Milei, that is why we competed. We don’t hide them ... but we believe that we must join forces for a greater goal.”
Some of Milei’s proposals include dollarising the economy and shutting the central bank. He also has voice concern over Argentina joining the expanded Brics bloc.
Despite Bullrich’s support for Milei, her broader conservative bloc “Juntos por el Cambio” remains split ahead of the November 19 second-round election as it comprises different cliques.
Reuters
