Milei's Party Suffers 13-Point Defeat in Key Buenos Aires Election

BUENOS AIRES – President Javier Milei's party, La Libertad Avanza (LLA), experienced a significant setback in the Buenos Aires provincial elections held on September 8, 2025, suffering a 13-point defeat to the Peronist opposition. This outcome is being widely interpreted as a "punishment vote" from a substantial portion of swing voters, reflecting growing discontent with the government's policies and leadership style. As one social media user, "santi," observed in a tweet, "gran porcentaje del swing voter fue un voto castigo a los milei. lo soez y el no dar la cara se facturaron fiero."

The election saw the Peronist candidate secure 47% of the vote, while LLA's representative garnered 34%, marking Milei's most significant electoral defeat since taking office in December 2023. This provincial contest, encompassing nearly 40% of Argentina's electorate, served as a critical barometer for public sentiment ahead of upcoming national midterm elections. Analysts suggest the results highlight a shift among voters who previously supported Milei.

Voter dissatisfaction appears rooted in the severe economic austerity measures implemented by the Milei administration, including slashed public spending, widespread public employee dismissals, and stagnant wages. Furthermore, a recent corruption scandal reportedly involving the president's sister, Karina Milei, and the government's veto of popular bills aimed at increasing pensions and disability benefits, have contributed to public disillusionment. These factors align with the tweet's reference to "lo soez" (vulgarity/abrasiveness) and "el no dar la cara" (not showing up/facing the public).

Many voters who backed Milei in the 2023 presidential election either abstained or switched their support to the opposition in this recent provincial vote. Alejandro Daniel Pons, a 57-year-old architect who voted for Milei in 2023, stated he did not support LLA in the local election because he felt Milei "went too far in squeezing ordinary people." This sentiment underscores the "punishment vote" articulated in the tweet, indicating a backlash against the perceived harshness and detachment of the government.

Despite the clear defeat, President Milei acknowledged "political mistakes" but affirmed his commitment to his economic agenda, stating he would not "retreat by a single millimetre" and would instead "accelerate and deepen it." The outcome of the Buenos Aires election is expected to intensify the political landscape as Argentina approaches crucial congressional midterm elections in October, where half of the lower house and a third of the senate seats will be contested.