Explainer-Argentina presidential election: Key takeaways from first-round vote

FILE PHOTO: Argentina's presidential candidate Sergio Massa reacts to the results of the presidential election, in Buenos Aires, Argentina October 22, 2023. REUTERS/Martin Cossarini/File Photo

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentina voted in a general election on Sunday, with Peronist Economy Minister Sergio Massa posting a surprisingly strong first-place finish despite a major economic crisis, ahead of the wild-haired pre-vote favorite, radical libertarian Javier Milei.

Massa and Milei will go to a run-off vote on Nov. 19 to take the presidency from mid-December, replacing outgoing center-left Peronist President Alberto Fernandez. Massa ended the night with 36.7% of the vote versus Milei on around 30%.