Javier Milei boasts about Flávio Bolsonaro’s votes while poverty increases in Argentina

The result of the first round of the presidential elections in Brazil appears to have served as a shot in the arm for the president of Argentina, Javier Milei. In a cabinet meeting held at Casa Rosada last Monday (5), the Buenos Aires head of state even claimed importance for himself regarding the extreme right’s electoral victory in the first round of the Brazilian elections.

In front of his ministers, Milei would have stated that the advantage achieved by the Brazilian extreme right candidate, Flávio Bolsonaro (PL), with 47.03% of valid votes against 45.16% of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT), would be a direct result of his support. According to the Argentine’s logic, when he decided to express his enthusiasm for the heir of Bolsonarism, the candidate would be ten points behind the current president of Brazil.

Lulled by this illusion of international protagonism, Milei is preparing a new trip to the United States on October 14th. The appointment, scheduled for the capital Washington just 11 days before the Brazilian second round, could give rise to a meeting between the Argentine and presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro. Javier Milei will participate in a conservative gala alongside former deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro, brother and coordinator of the Brazilian candidate.

To the Brazil in factFlávio Bolsonaro’s advisor stated that the candidate does not intend to participate in the meeting in the American capital.

Freedom to destroy

Milei’s euphoria with other people’s votes contrasts with the Argentine president’s internal support. Surveys show that 58.1% of Argentines disapprove of the “libertarian” government, a figure that reaches almost 70% among lower-income groups. The situation becomes even more vexing for the Buenos Aires president when the comparison crosses the border.

According to research by consultancy Analogías, Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is much more popular in Argentina than Milei himself. While the Argentinian suffers from weak approval ratings of 36.9%, Lula boasts a 58.5% positive image among Buenos Aires voters.

The lack of popularity of the current Argentine government is the result of an economic policy that has pushed the country into a strong social abyss. Data from the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses show that poverty in the neighboring country rose again in the first half of 2026, reaching 32.3% of the population. There are 9.7 million people living without minimum subsistence conditions.

Indigence also increased to 7.5%, affecting 2.2 million Argentines. The ultraliberal chainsaw shock has already caused the closure of around 30 thousand companies, pushed unemployment to 7.9% and caused economic activity to plummet 2.9% in July.