BUENOS AIRES – Enthusiasm for argentine President Javier Milei is waning in key agricultural regions as the country approaches crucial midterm elections, fueled by economic uncertainty and a series of political setbacks for his management. Farmers, initially buoyed by Milei’s promises of economic liberalization, are now grappling with policy reversals and a climate of instability that threatens their livelihoods.
The shift in sentiment comes as Milei’s La Libertad Avanza party faces headwinds ahead of the congressional elections, where it is unlikely to secure a majority in either chamber. A recent corruption scandal involving the president’s sister, Karina Milei, coupled with the withdrawal of a key congressional candidate over alleged ties to a drug trafficker, have eroded public trust. These developments follow a September election win for Peronists in Buenos Aires Province,which triggered a peso run that Milei attempted to address with financial support from Washington and backing from former US President Donald Trump.
aldana Guanzini, a third-generation farmer in Argentina’s breadbasket, exemplifies the growing disillusionment. She initially welcomed the government’s September decision to scrap export taxes, a move intended to attract dollars amid a currency crisis. “We were happy, we had taken out a loan to buy a harvester and were afraid of not being able to pay for supplies to grow again,” Guanzini, who farms 3,000 hectares of soy, corn, and wheat, told AFP. However, the relief was short-lived, as the export taxes were reinstated just three days later after the government reached its dollar target. “We’re living in total uncertainty. We can’t plan ahead,” she said.
Sociologist Gabriel Vommaro of the National University of san Martín predicts Milei’s appeal will diminish as economic realities set in.”With a depressed economy, corruption scandals and considerable uncertainty about how things will be managed from October onward, it’s very likely that Milei will be much less seductive,” Vommaro stated. Despite this, he cautioned that Milei could still garner support in future run-offs.
The political and economic uncertainty is notably concerning for argentina’s grain producers, who are vital to the country’s export economy. The outcome of the midterm elections will significantly impact Milei’s ability to implement his economic agenda and address the challenges facing the agricultural sector.
