Patricia Bullrich, a right-leaning figure who finished third in Argentina’s first presidential tour, chose to set aside harsh grievances toward Javier Milei. The far right branded Milei a terrorist in some circles, yet Bullrich announced support for Milei in the second round to prevent a Peronist victory. Sergio Massa stood as the opponent in the November 19 runoff. The torrent of mutual insults marks a recent, fragile era that risks being eclipsed by new emergencies. Bullrich even contemplated legal action against Milei for slander, insisting that a common adversary exists. After meeting with Milei and former president Mauricio Macri, rough edges were smoothed, and the outcomes of that late-night dialogue arrived soon after.
“We differed with Milei, so we competed. We did not hide that. A majority of Argentines favored change. Neutrality is not an option. There is a hard choice between change and a mafia-like status quo”, said Bullrich, whose past ties to Peronist-era guerrilla activity resurfaced during Milei’s debates as the candidate from La Libertad Avanza criticized the era. Bullrich even claimed Milei accused him of planting a bomb.
Bullrich secured 23 percent of the vote and argued that much of the wealth at stake did not belong to him, framing support for Milei as imperative. He hinted that former president Macri might soon follow a similar line. Together for Change, once a coalition with the moderate Radical Civic Union, appeared to be in decline as radicals warned they would not back any alliance with the far right. Elisa Carrió of the Civic Coalition, another part of the anti-Kirchner bloc, blamed Macri for the electoral setback. “You will make a historic mistake”, Carrió warned about courting Milei. She emphasized that her party would not step into a vacuum or back any group that promotes the sale of children, arguing such positions violate human rights.
Milei’s trajectory
Milei trailed Massa by about seven points in the first round last Sunday. He expected to clinch the presidency that night, but events took a different turn. For millions of Argentines, fear of the far right outweighed concerns about the economy. From that moment, Milei tried to adopt a more moderate stance. He moved away from the image of a disruptive reformer who toppled the state, while seeking votes from traditional conservatives and even extending a hand to left-leaning voters for a future government. Describing critics as dirty communists became a running joke online, highlighting how the candidate’s rhetoric sometimes polarized the public. Milei’s unorthodox approach keeps surprising observers with new twists as his campaign travels continue.
The Milei phenomenon emerged amid perceptions of economic distress under the Peronist government and a messaging style that challenged established political hierarchies. The intensity of his attacks helped him win the backing of many younger voters, especially those disillusioned by the traditional political class who were captivated by his direct, forceful approach rather than a conventional liberal program. Political analysts are already noting that Milei’s recent moves add pressure on the Milei-led platform and its collaborators, while others in the Chilean-adjacent space worry about political scandals. A provincial legislator elected in the Milei orbit indicated plans to step away, signaling the fragility of alliances in flux.
Unknowns and early signals
Experts say it remains early to gauge how much Bullrich might contribute to Milei’s runoff advertising, while Massa has opened room for a center-right path within Together for Change. Massa has pitched a national unity approach that relies on backing from provincial partners capable of delivering votes in the runoff. He has framed himself as the practical option, praising family values as part of a broader appeal.
The latest national polls show Massa leading with roughly 44 percent support in the voting intentions surveyed, about ten points ahead of Milei. If those not planning to vote and those casting blank ballots are excluded, Massa would edge past the 50 percent threshold needed for outright victory on a single round. Yet pollsters warn that margins can be volatile and forecasts should be treated with caution as surveys continue to evolve in the closing weeks.