Far-right candidate who wants to legalize organ sales wins Argentina's presidential primary


Far-right libertarian candidate Javier Milei won Argentina's primary election on Sunday in a stunning rebuke of the country's two main political factions.
With 97% of the votes tabulated, Milei carried 30.4% of the vote, according to Bloomberg's polling results. In second place was the center-left UP Party's Sergio Massa with 21%, and in third place was the conservative JxC Party's Patricia Bullrich, with 16%. Milei's 30.4% is actually more than both of the other parties earned in total: the JxC candidates received a combined 28% and the UP candidates got a combined 27%.
The open primary was the first major step toward the country's Oct. 22 presidential election.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
While Milei was seen as an outsider who was originally polling at just 20%, his landslide primary victory proves that he "now has a clear shot at leading Argentina," The New York Times reported. This means that Argentina could become the latest country to see a shift toward the far right.
Milei has become well-known throughout Argentina for his political views. An admirer of former President Donald Trump, Milei has advocated for abolishing Argentina's national bank and shifting the currency from the Argentine peso to the U.S. dollar. He has also proposed closing state-owned businesses and shuttering a number of government ministries, and he made headlines when he floated legalizing the sale of human organs.
Milei's primary win is likely a direct result of Argentina's current economic and social woes. The country is on the brink of another recession and inflation is hovering around 114%, the third-highest in the world. Data compiled by The Economist shows that 43% of Argentines are living in poverty. If Milei were to be elected, though, his party would have limited congressional support, so "implementing [his] changes would lead to a major challenge," the Times reported.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
The mission to demine Ukraine
The Explainer An estimated quarter of the nation – an area the size of England – is contaminated with landmines and unexploded shells from the war
-
Can anyone save Jimmy Lai?
Today's Big Question 'Britain's shameful inaction' will mean it's partly 'responsible' if Hong Kong businessman dies in prison
-
The most notable records broken by Taylor Swift
In Depth The pop star has cemented herself as one of the century's most popular artists
-
Trump expands National Guard role in policing
Speed Read The president wants the Guard to take on a larger role in domestic law enforcement
-
Trump says he's firing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook
Speed Read The move is likely part of Trump's push to get the central bank to cut interest rates
-
Abrego released from jail, faces Uganda deportation
Speed Read The wrongly deported Kilmar Abrego García is expected to be detained at an ICE check-in and deported to Uganda
-
Trump arms National Guard in DC, threatens other cities
speed read His next targets are Chicago, New York and Baltimore
-
Judge: Trump's US attorney in NJ serving unlawfully
Speed Read The appointment of Trump's former personal defense lawyer, Alina Habba, as acting US attorney in New Jersey was ruled 'unlawful'
-
Third judge rejects DOJ's Epstein records request
Speed Read Judge Richard Berman was the third and final federal judge to reject DOJ petitions to unseal Epstein-related grand jury material
-
Texas OKs gerrymander sought by Trump
Speed Read The House approved a new congressional map aimed at flipping Democratic-held seats to Republican control
-
Israel starts Gaza assault, approves West Bank plan
Speed Read Israel forces pushed into the outskirts of Gaza City and Netanyahu's government gave approval for a settlement to cut the occupied Palestinian territory in two