Argentines hopeful, nervous over 'leap into the void' with Milei

Argentine president-elect Javier Milei's supporters celebrate after Milei wins the runoff presidential election, in Buenos Aires, Argentina November 19, 2023. REUTERS/Adriano Machado

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentines expressed a mixture of ecstasy and trepidation on Monday after libertarian outsider Javier Milei, pledging radical fixes to the economy, swept to power with an election win over Peronist government rival Sergio Massa.

Milei, who will take office on Dec. 10, marks a major direction change for Argentina, which is battling with inflation nearing 150%, capital controls that impede business, two-fifths of the population in poverty and a looming recession.