On Sunday, November 19th, the president of Argentina, Alberto Fernández, made a call for respect for democracy as he cast his vote in the second round of the presidential elections. The government candidate Sergio Massa and far-right opponent Javier Milei were competing to become the next head of state.
Fernández had previously been restricted by the Electoral Court from answering questions from journalists present during his speech at a polling station. However, he took a moment to express his hope that the election day would be one of happiness for Argentines. He also urged people to “respect and take great care of democracy,” adding that everything should go smoothly without any doubts or worries.
Despite keeping a low profile in recent weeks, Fernández will conclude his term on December 10th after deciding not to run for re-election. Approximately 35.8 million people are eligible to vote in this election, with voting being mandatory for citizens aged between 18 and 70 and optional for adults and teenagers aged 16 and 17, as well as for residents abroad. In the first round, Massa obtained 36.78% of the votes while Milei received 29.99%.
Overall, it remains to be seen which candidate will emerge victorious in this closely contested election. However, one thing is certain – democracy is at stake, and it is up to Argentines to ensure that their voices are heard and respected in this process.