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The Real Story: Argentina at a crossroads

Factual

Argentina at a crossroads

27/10/2023 GMT

BBC World Service - The Real Story, Argentina at a crossroads

As presidential candidates head to a run off, can Argentina save its downward spiral?

As presidential candidates head to a run off election, what can they do to save the spiralling economy?

Argentina’s economy minister has won more than 36% of the vote in Sunday’s presidential elections, defying expectations. The election has been shaken by the emergence of anti-establishment populist and self-styled "libertarian" Javier Milei. Mr Milei is an outspoken right-wing economist whose "shock-jock" style and aggressive social media campaigning have appealed to younger voters. No candidate received the necessary 45% of votes needed to win outright, so there will be a second round on 19 November. The election comes amid a severe economic crisis - inflation is nearing 140% - 40% are living below the poverty line. Argentina is one of Latin America’s most stable democracies - but it remains the world's single biggest debtor to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), owing $46bn (£38bn). Three-quarters of young Argentinians want to leave the country to look for better opportunities.  What needs to happen to improve the country's prospects? And will the economic mess damage Argentina’s democracy?

Shaun Ley is joined by:

Natalie Alcoba, an Argentinean-Canadian journalist
Ignacio Labaqui, senior analyst with Medley Global Advisors, which offers advice to clients on political risk
Christopher Sabatini. he's Senior Research Fellow for Latin America, US and the Americas Programme at the Chatham House thinktank

Also featuring:
Marcela Pagano a newly elected member of the Argentine Congress for Javier Milei's La Libertad Avanza 
Gustavo Martínez Pandiani, Sergio Massa's principal foreign policy advisor and the Ambassador to Switzerland.
Pau Bressi, a university student in Buenos Aires

Produced by: Max Horberry and Ellen Otzen

(Photo: Presidential candidate Javier Milei speaks after first round results, Buenos Aires, Argentina - 23 Oct 2023. Juan Ignacio Roncoroni/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

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