Argentines are choosing a new president in an election rocked by the emergence of anti-establishment populist and self-styled “libertarian” Javier Milei as the front-runner.
Mr Milei is an outspoken right-wing economist whose “shock-jock” style and aggressive social media campaigning have appealed to younger voters.
His victory in the primary has put his two main rivals on the defensive.
The election comes amid a severe economic crisis.
Latin America’s third-largest economy is suffering from triple-digit inflation and a devalued currency that has left 40% living below the poverty line.
Argentina remains the world’s single biggest debtor to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), owing $46bn (£38bn).
Traditionally, elections here have been dominated by the left-wing Peronist movement – whose candidate is the current economy minister Sergio Massa – and its centre-right opposition, which has chosen former security minister, Patricia Bullrich.
Presidential candidate Patricia Bullrich speaks during her presentation at the 135th Argentine Rural Society’s annual exposition, in Buenos Aires, Argentina July 24, 2023.
However, the campaign has been turned on its head by the success of Javier Milei in the primaries in August.
Mr Milei beat Ms Bullrich and Mr Massa into second and third place and has remained ahead in the polls.
Two other candidates, Myriam Bregman and Juan Schiaretti, lag behind the top three.
Mr Milei has drawn fire from Mr Massa and Ms Bullrich with his statements declaring deep aversion to “communists”, and even to Pope Francis.
He proposes to reduce inflation by eliminating Argentina’s central bank, ditching the Argentine peso, which he calls “excrement”, and using the US dollar instead.
With yells of “Viva La Libertad, carajo!” (Long Live Freedom, damn it!) he has vowed to cut back the size of government by closing the ministries of sport, culture and women. He would also merge the health and education portfolios.
Meanwhile, 51-year-old Mr Massa has sought to defend the Peronist movement’s social and labour credentials.
He says austerity measures passed by his government are the result of the IMF debt run up by the previous centre-right administration.
The presidential candidate Sergio Massa gestures as he takes part in the campaign closing ceremony of the Peronist coalition ‘Union por la Patria’, at the Arsenal stadium in Sarandi, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 17 October 2023.
