Milei Wins Big Down South

It is a refreshing change of pace to be able to take note of good political news these days, and it doesn't come much better than Javier Milei of Argentina scoring a mandate to continue his free market reforms:

Gustavo Cordoba, the director of the Argentine Zuban Cordoba polling firm, said he was surprised by Milei's showing and thought it reflected concern about potentially repeating the economic crises of past governments.

"Many people were willing to give the government another chance," he said. "We'll see how much time Argentine society gives the Argentine government. But the triumph is unobjectionable, unquestionable."

Cordoba said Milei's government appeared to have secured the one-third of seats it needs in the Chamber of Deputies to prevent any future presidential vetoes from being overturned by Congress. In the last few months, the opposition had overturned several Milei vetoes of spending bills he had said threatened the country's fiscal balance.

"The result is better than even the most optimistic Milei supporters were hoping for," said Marcelo Garcia, Americas director of risk consultancy Horizon Engage.

"With this result, Milei will be able to easily defend his decrees and vetoes in Congress," Garcia said, adding that allies will have more of an incentive to support a winning president. [bold added]

In an X post yesterday, Agustina Vergara Cid of the Ayn Rand Institute, who was covering the election, characterized the result as possibly "the WORST election for the Peronists IN HISTORY," and, in another post vows to help put her countryman's feet to the fire:

I'm excited for Argentina to move faster yet smartly towards economic freedom. I think most of Milei's ideas in this area are good and worth supporting.

That said, Milei has a lot to improve to become a true freedom fighter and defender of individual rights.

Because I care about freedom, I'll continue to push for Milei's government to protect individual rights across the board -- not just when it comes to economic freedom.

It will be interesting to hear what she has to say about this encouraging development on the New Ideal podcast in the near future. In the meantime, her X feed is worth a look.

-- CAV