President Milei says he will seek consensus for new reform push

President Javier Milei says he will seek to broaden his support base in Congress and secure the support of provincial governors to embark upon the reform of Argentina’s pension, labour and tax systems.

Milei, speaking after his party’s decisive victory in Sunday's midterm elections, also spoke about his upcoming Cabinet reshuffle, saying he did not rule out the possibility of figures from other political forces being appointed to key positions.

“The Cabinet will be formed in light of the new Congress, based on the alliances I must build to get the agenda through. What matters is securing the reforms,” Argentina’s President said in an interview with the A24 news channels.

Milei noted that the new lawmakers and senators elected in the midterms would not take office until December 10. “I’ve got a bit of time to reorganise the Cabinet,” he said.

The La Libertad Avanza party leader admitted that the extent of Sunday’s victory had surprised even him.

“I have to put together a new Cabinet because – let’s be honest – who would have thought we could win the Province of Buenos Aires?” said the President, referring to his party’s victory over the opposition Peronist coalition in the nation’s most-populous region.

“If we don’t realise that this reshapes the political structure I must build to negotiate and pass the laws I promised Argentines, then we’ve understood nothing,” argued Milei.

Pushed as to whether he might include politicians from other groups, he replied: “Anyone who can help achieve results – don’t doubt for a second that I’ll bring them in.”

“My commitment is to my 2023 electoral contract. That’s what people voted for,” said the economist.

Milei is set to lose a number of top officials, including National Security Minister Patricia Bullrich and Defence Minister Luis Petri, who will depart to take up legislative posts.

Reforms – with governors

Argentina’s President said that he would seek to reach agreements with allied governors to push through a host of “second-generation” reforms he aims to implement. He acknowledged he would need to build consensus for pension, labour and tax reforms, which will likely face strong opposition.

“We must sit down with the new Congress and seek agreements,” the libertarian insisted, adding that he himself would take a leading role in dialogue with provincial leaders. “Many of them wrote to congratulate me,” he confessed.

Milei said he had no problem talking to governors but said “it takes two to tango.”

Regarding the outcome, he added: “For me, this election above all represents the Argentine people choosing not to return to the past. It’s an election in which two-thirds of Argentines voted for a better future – for prosperity, for growth.”

“I think it’s extremely valuable that people turned their backs on a destructive proposal” from the opposition, Milei continued. “Today marks the start of a new Argentina. In fact, it began yesterday – decided by Argentines choosing the path of freedom.”

Milei said the election result was “a turning point” and said he intended to “make Argentina great again.” The use of the phrase, a rewrite of US President Donald Trump’s own slogan, was timely given the unprecedented show of financial support provided by the United States in the lead-up to election day.

The President revealed that Trump had contacted him to offer congratulations, as did US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

“President Trump wrote to congratulate us, and Secretary Bessent did too. I also received messages from several friends who hold positions of responsibility,” he said. “This is very important. We are deeply grateful for the work of President Donald Trump, the excellent and outstanding efforts of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and the clear, profound and extraordinary vision of [US] Secretary of State Marco Rubio.”

– TIMES/NA