Argentina's markets face an election hangover on Monday after a shock primary election win for far-right libertarian Javier Milei, who wants to axe the central bank and dollarize the economy, shook up the race towards general elections in October.
The primary to elect party candidates acts as a dress rehearsal for the general election in two months time.
Markets had hoped for a strong performance by more moderate candidates, who had a bad night.
After a similar primary election shock result in 2019, bonds and the currency crashed and remain in distressed territory, with the peso now held in check by capital controls the government has been unable to unwind.
A candidate needs 45% of the Oct. 22 vote to win outright or 40% and a 10-point lead over second place.
Persons:
Javier Milei, Milei, Dante Sica, Milei's, Goldman Sachs, Patricia Bullrich, Sergio Massa, Ricardo Delgado
Organizations:
Markets, Peronist
Locations:
Argentine