### Summary
Inflation in Argentina has reached 113%, pushing 40% of the population into poverty, as the country faces an economic collapse that could see the far-right return to power under Javier Milei, a rock-singing former sex coach who has threatened to abolish the central bank.
### Facts
- 💸 Argentina is experiencing an economic collapse with annual inflation reaching 113%, its highest in over 30 years.
- 💰 Inflation has pushed 40% of the population into poverty as soaring prices outpace wages.
- 📉 The crisis escalated when the central bank raised interest rates to 118% to halt a sell-off in government bonds and the Argentine peso, which hit a record low against the dollar.
- ⬇️ Inflationary pressures forced officials to devalue the peso by 18% on Monday, which some economists believe may fuel further inflation, possibly reaching 150%.
- 🏛️ The far-right, led by Javier Milei, a rock-singing former sex coach, has gained popularity and threatens to abolish the central bank if they come to power.
- 🌎 This serves as a stark contrast to the inflation battle faced by the Bank of England, where inflation stands at 6.8% and interest rates have been raised to 5.25%.
### Summary
🇦🇷 Argentina's right-wing populist presidential candidate Javier Milei assured the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that the country would not default on its debts if he is elected.
### Facts
- 🗳️ Milei, who gained popularity by criticizing the political establishment, became the surprise frontrunner in Argentina's national primaries.
- 💰 Argentina currently has a $44bn loan program with the IMF and Milei assured officials that the country would continue to make payments and not default on its debts.
- 🗣️ During a virtual meeting with IMF officials, Milei outlined his economic proposals, which include fiscal adjustments, opening up the economy, labor law reform, spending cuts, and ending the Central Bank.
- 🇨🇱 The peso devalued and consumer prices surged after Milei's victory, causing market uncertainty.
- 🤝 The IMF also met with Patricia Bullrich, the main opposition coalition's presidential candidate, as part of routine engagements with political and economic stakeholders.
- 🗳️ Milei and Bullrich will compete against Minister of Economy Sergio Massa in the October elections, where a candidate needs to secure at least 45 percent of the votes to win outright.
Javier Milei, the radical presidential front-runner in Argentina, may need time to fulfill his campaign promises of scrapping the peso currency and reducing taxes on grains if elected, according to advisers, who suggest he could use executive decrees to avoid congressional obstacles.
Argentina's peso currency is at risk of another devaluation after the upcoming presidential election, with estimates suggesting a 16.6% devaluation in the three months following the vote.
Argentina's center-right presidential candidate, Patricia Bullrich, would not seek new loans from the IMF if she wins the upcoming general election, but instead aims to manage the country's existing debt with the global lender, according to a top advisor; this comes as Argentina's economy continues to struggle with high inflation and a deteriorating local currency.
Javier Milei, the "anarcho-capitalist" presidential candidate in Argentina, gained popularity by promising to dollarize the economy and provide a solution to the country's economic crisis. However, economists and the IMF have raised concerns about the feasibility of dollarization as a solution.
Argentina is facing a presidential election amid an economic crisis marked by soaring inflation, recession, and a high poverty rate, with leading candidates divided over how to address these issues, including a suggestion to dollarize the economy.
Juan Agustín D’Attellis Noguera, a director of the Banco Central de la República Argentina, publicly supported the promotion of central bank digital currency (CBDC) as a remedy for the national economy, stating that the "digital peso" could stabilize the economy by 2024 through its traceability and ability to broaden the tax base, as well as helping to solve the nation's monetary problem by replacing the unstable Argentine peso.
Argentina's upcoming presidential election will require the next government to cut spending, stop printing money, and address the country's high inflation and economic challenges, according to executives and members of the business community.
Argentina is facing a severe economic crisis with high inflation, dwindling foreign reserves, capital controls, and a looming recession, as voters prepare to choose between three presidential candidates in the upcoming election.
Argentina's leading candidate, Javier Milei, is advocating for dollarization and the abolition of the central bank in an effort to address the country's economic crisis, which includes high inflation, a weak currency, and mounting debt. The outcome of the election remains uncertain, and the next government will face significant challenges in managing inflation and FX reserves.
