— In Buenos Aires provincial elections held Sunday, President Javier Milei’s newly formed libertarian party fell short of expectations, taking roughly 34% of the counted vote while Peronist-aligned forces led with about 47%, a result seen as a barometer ahead of national midterms next month.
Key Takeaways
- Buenos Aires provincial vote on Sept. 7 elected 69 provincial lawmakers and municipal councilors.
- Peronist lists led with nearly 47% of the vote; Milei’s party polled close to 34% with most ballots tallied.
- Outcome is widely viewed as an indicator for Argentina’s congressional midterms in late October.
- Milei faces political pressure from a bribery scandal implicating his sister; he denies wrongdoing.
- Economic strains — shrinking output, rising unemployment and high interest rates — have weighed on public sentiment.
- Opposition-controlled Congress has recently overridden some of the president’s measures on social spending.
Verified Facts
The vote in Argentina’s most populous and politically consequential province was held on Sept. 7, 2025, to fill 69 provincial legislative and municipal seats. With the majority of ballots counted, Peronist-aligned candidates led the tally at about 47%, while President Milei’s libertarian coalition registered nearly 34%.
Analysts described the provincial outcome as a useful snapshot of voter mood ahead of national midterms set for late October, when half the lower house and one-third of the Senate will be renewed. Political strategists say results in Buenos Aires often foreshadow broader national trends because the province contains a large, diverse electorate.
Economic indicators cited by market observers and government briefings show Argentina’s economy contracting in recent quarters, unemployment rising and interest rates at record highs as authorities try to stabilize the peso and rein in inflation. Milei’s administration has implemented deep spending cuts and market-oriented reforms; inflation has moderated from earlier peaks but many households report sharper scarcity and higher costs.
Separately, a bribery scandal that surfaced recently has put Milei under political strain. The inquiry involves allegations that his sister accepted kickbacks tied to pharmaceutical contracts; Milei has publicly denied the charges. The controversy has eroded some of his outsider appeal and given opposition forces ammunition on corruption and governance themes.
Context & Impact
Peronism — the broad, ideologically flexible movement that has dominated Argentine politics for decades — capitalized on voter concerns about the economy and social programs. Former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, long a central figure for the movement despite her legal troubles and house arrest, drew support and attention from Peronist voters in the province.
For Milei, the provincial setback complicates ambitions to secure enough congressional seats to push through sweeping economic reforms. His plans rely on stronger legislative support to reshape public spending, privatize state assets and liberalize markets.
Investors and international creditors watch these political signals closely. If Milei’s coalition underperforms in the October midterms, it would likely slow or reshape his reform agenda and affect Argentina’s access to foreign capital and debt negotiations.
- Short-term: Opposition gains may produce new legislative checks on fiscal and social-policy changes.
- Medium-term: A weaker electoral showing could force Milei to recalibrate economic priorities or seek broader coalitions.
“This result is a key data point to understand the social mood — where the opposition stands and the level of support for the government,”
Juan Cruz Díaz, Cefeidas Group (comment to press)
Official Statements
“Get out of your bubble — things are getting heavy,”
Message posted on social media by Cristina Fernández de Kirchner
Unconfirmed
- Details of alleged kickbacks to Milei’s sister remain under investigation; judicial inquiries are ongoing and specific payments cited in public reports have not been fully proven in court.
- How the provincial vote will translate into exact seat numbers and alliances in the national Congress remains subject to final tallies and post-election pacts.
Bottom Line
The Sept. 7 Buenos Aires results represent a political setback for President Javier Milei and a boost for Peronist forces ahead of October’s midterms. The outcome heightens uncertainty over whether Milei can secure the legislative strength needed to carry out his economic program and underscores the enduring relevance of Peronism in Argentina’s electoral map.
Sources
- Associated Press — reporting on Sept. 7, 2025 provincial vote and related developments
- Argentina National Electoral Directorate — official vote counts and electoral calendar