Argentina - President Javier Milei’s party wins midterm legislative elections by a wide margin

Argentine President Javier Milei on Sunday hailed his party’s decisive midterm election win as a “turning point” for the country, vowing to push ahead with his sweeping reforms to shrink the state and liberalize the economy.

Milei’s La Libertad Avanza (LLA) party secured 40.84 percent of the vote, tripling its strength in Congress and ensuring what the President described as “the most reformist legislature in Argentina’s history.” The results hand him a crucial advantage to advance key legislation that had been stalled by opposition parties for months.

“This victory was necessary to continue rebuilding Argentina,” Milei said to supporters in Buenos Aires. “Without this, our transformation would have been blocked by those who want to keep us tied to the past.”

Trump’s influence behind Milei’s midterm victory

The midterm results came in the shadow of the U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent visit to the White House meeting with Milei, where both discussed a $20 billion currency-swap deal to stabilize Argentina’s fragile economy. During that meeting, Trump made a statement that quickly became the centerpiece of the election: “If he wins, we are staying with him. If he doesn’t win, we are gone.”

That remark was widely interpreted as Washington tying its financial aid to Milei’s political survival, sending a clear message to both voters and investors - U.S. backing depended on who held power in Buenos Aires. Trump’s words, delivered publicly and unapologetically on camera, made explicit what many analysts describe as a long-standing U.S. policy pattern: aid, investment, and cooperation have often aligned with friendly governments, not necessarily with democratic continuity or public sentiment.

Political observers say Milei needed this win desperately to secure legislative backing for his reforms. Without control in Congress, his push for deregulation and spending cuts would have faced continued obstruction from the Peronist opposition. Trump’s visible endorsement and strategic timing boosted Milei’s credibility, influencing markets and reassuring investors that Argentina would remain under pro-U.S. leadership.

Yet Trump’s open involvement also triggered widespread protests in Argentina. Thousands took to the streets of Buenos Aires, Córdoba, and Rosario, accusing both leaders of turning Argentina into “Washington’s pawn.” Protesters carried banners reading “Argentina is not for sale” and “No to U.S. control,” reflecting anger over perceived interference and growing economic hardship.

The U.S. State Department responded cautiously, calling the demonstrations “a democratic expression” and reiterating confidence in Milei’s economic agenda. Privately, American officials are said to be aware of Milei’s falling popularity, which dipped below 35% before the midterms, though his victory has momentarily stabilized his position.

A Calculated Partnership with Global Stakes

Observers note that Trump’s strategy in Argentina is part of a broader geopolitical competition for Latin America’s critical resources. Argentina holds some of the largest lithium reserves in the world, a vital component for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and Washington is eager to ensure that American companies, not Chinese firms, dominate access to these reserves.

Argentina also exports vast quantities of soybeans, another key factor in the trade triangle. After Trump’s tariffs on Beijing, China shifted its soybean imports from the U.S. to Argentina, deepening its economic foothold there. Milei’s pro-market and pro-Washington policies could reverse that trend, indirectly benefiting U.S. exporters and strengthening American influence in the region.

“Trump’s approach may sound transactional,” said one Buenos Aires-based analyst, “but it’s also consistent with how the U.S. has long treated Latin America as a strategic backyard, where alignment often matters more than autonomy.”

Milei and Trump: Two Leaders, One Style

Both Trump and Milei share similar political styles - confrontational, populist, and media-savvy. Milei, often described as “Argentina’s Trump,” has mirrored the former businessman’s rhetoric, calling for the dismantling of bureaucracies and the defense of free markets. Their alliance, analysts say, is as much ideological as it is strategic.

While most of Latin America leans left, Milei stands out as one of the region’s few far-right leaders, aligning closely with Washington’s worldview. For Trump, Milei’s success offers proof that his brand of nationalist economics and political theater can resonate beyond U.S. borders - while for Milei, Trump’s backing offers both legitimacy and leverage.