Argentina's centrist economy minister Sergio Massa has defied expectations by winning the first round of Sunday’s election, putting him on course for a run-off contest with far-right candidate Javier Milei.
No candidate has received more than 45 per cent of votes, the threshold to be elected, meaning a run-off contest on November 19.
Pollsters had predicted Mr Massa, who gained around 36 per cent of the initial vote, would place behind far-right rival Javier Milei, who gained 30 per cent of the vote by early Monday.
Mr Massa had been a leading figure in the centre-left administration in power since 2019 and many pollsters had expected voters to punish him for the poor state of Argentina’s economy, where inflation is nearing 140 per cent.
However, Argentina's pre-election polls are notoriously inaccurate. Around 78 per cent of the electorate voted Sunday, according to local media.
Mr Milei proposes to radically slash the size of the state, halving the number of government ministries and carrying out deep spending cuts.
The self-described anarcho-capitalist who admires former US President Donald Trump, built a groundswell of support while calling for elimination of the Central Bank and replacement of the peso with the US dollar.
Massa, 51, finished first in Sunday's vote despite the currency tanking.
He told voters that he inherited an already-bad situation exacerbated by a devastating drought that decimated the country's exports, and reassured them that the worst had past.
He focussed much of his efforts on warning voters against backing Mr Milei, painting him as a dangerous upstart.
He argued Mr Milei's plans could have devastating effects on welfare programs, education and health care - as the health, education and social development ministries are among those he wants to cut.
“I'm going to call for a government of national unity — a government of national unity built on the foundation of summoning the best individuals, regardless of their political affiliation," he said.
However, Mr Milei, who turned 53 on election day, has characterised Massa and others as part of the corrupt establishment.
“Today is historic because two-thirds of Argentines voted for change," Mr Milei said in a speech Sunday night at his campaign headquarters.
“They voted for an alternative to this government of criminals who want to mortgage our future to stay in power."
