Seven in ten Argentinians living in Spain supported Javier Milei in the vote held on November 19. In total, 7,765 Argentines residing in Spain saw the former candidate, who is now the libertarian president, as a symbol of hope for their long-suffering homeland. Yet drawing broad conclusions about foreign residents’ preferences from these figures is risky—turnout among expatriates was modest, and Milei accounted for around 10 percent of the census, according to sources from the Argentine embassy.
Those who backed the controversial leader’s platform in Spain cited clear motives: to avert a repeat of a Kirchnerist administration and to seek policies that could stimulate the economy. For some it was a sincere conviction; for others, a protest vote. In any case, it reflected a wish for systemic change. Opponents who backed the center-left Sergio Massa worry that the new government might dismantle social rights and protections built up over years.
Martín De Luca, a 40-year-old who left Argentina 21 years ago, arrived in Buenos Aires during a period of deep crisis when opportunities were scarce and leaving home seemed like an adventure. His experience echoes the story of many who left during the early 2000s, a decade marked by economic instability and social upheaval. He recalls a landscape where corruption and powerful unions had grown corrosive, and he notes that the country later faced persistent inflation and a complex economic crisis that eroded purchasing power month after month.
Rosario Mendieta, years later, left Argentina in 2016 amid a sustained economic downturn. The 32-year-old from Buenos Aires remembers a country undergoing a harsh process of devaluation and tightening foreign exchange controls, while taxes rose and price controls spread. Danila Stamati, also from Buenos Aires, now 39, describes a situation of growing poverty and inflation that affected wages measured in dollars, with the peso’s value slipping and stricter economic controls in place. Cecilia Peveri, 34, left her hometown eight months ago, also from Buenos Aires, amid a similar macroeconomic squeeze.
Across the Atlantic, the sense of a country in crisis persists, yet there is also a recognition of potential signs of improvement. A majority of Milei’s expatriate voters, roughly 56 percent, see him as a force capable of delivering change that Argentina has long needed. De Luca explains that Milei’s ascent represents a chance to reset a chronic crisis and a tired political establishment. Yet he cautions that governing as a minority could complicate efforts to advance reform, including social policies that shape daily life for many Argentines abroad.
Those who oppose Milei fear the ascent of a policy path that they argue could erode social rights. They point to measures aimed at privatization, tax reform, and a broader push to restructure health and education funding, concerns that resonate with people who have seen these sectors struggle under repeated economic pressures. Mendieta complains that workers, not a caste, could be targeted by new policies, and Peveri laments potential cuts to protections for women and LGBTQ communities as part of broader austerity measures. Stamati warns that if reform comes without broad consensus, protests and social mobilization could intensify, reflecting a long-standing Argentine tendency to mobilize in defense of rights and public services.
On the policy frontier, Milei has introduced a range of urgent-change initiatives since taking office on January 10. His package includes a shock plan with numerous regulatory measures, aggressive deregulation, and labor reforms, along with a downsizing of the state and a new doctrine for public order. These proposals have stirred debate about their potential to deliver quick relief for inflation while inviting strong resistance from various groups. Stamati notes that enacting such measures could be challenging, especially if the governing coalition lacks broad Peronist support. De Luca adds that for real change to occur, something needs to be done differently and in a way that balances urgent needs with long-term stability.
The policy changes have sparked demonstrations both inside Argentina and among expatriate communities abroad. Critics argue that reforms could touch every sector, including education and health, and that they risk widening social gaps if implemented without safeguards. Supporters hope the reforms will curb inflation and unlock sustained growth, though the path forward remains contested. Mendieta worries about the erosion of hard-won social conquests, while Peveri urges a cautious approach that preserves essential rights and public services as the economy stabilizes over time.
In this climate, Milei’s presidency is framed by a broader debate about how Argentina can reconcile urgent economic restructuring with the protection of social rights. Observers note that the country’s history of commotion—yet also resilience—will shape future policy choices. Advocates of reform argue that a robust, competitive economy can fuel growth, create jobs, and expand opportunities, while critics stress the importance of maintaining universal access to education, health care, and gender rights. The conversation continues, both within Argentina and among its diaspora, about the pace and scope of change, and about how to sustain social cohesion while pursuing growth.