Cutting Through the State: Examining Voter Alignment With Milei's Agenda and His Chainsaw Plan

Abstract

Argentina's political landscape experienced a major shift with the unexpected election of Javier Milei as President. Known for his radical right-wing stance, Milei has pledged to drastically minimize the state's role, proposing a public spending cut of 14% of the gross domestic product. While his lack of a legislative majority poses a challenge to implementing his ambitious agenda, Milei has signaled his intent to use referenda to bypass Congress in a strategic maneuver. Do his supporters genuinely back his policy positions? In which areas and sectors of the state might Milei's voters endorse the application of his so-called “chainsaw plan” and other proposed reforms? Using survey data (n = 1181), this article will examine whether Milei's voters support his views and policies, signaling a shift to the right in public opinion after decades of strong support for left-wing parties. Regression analysis on voting intentions reveals that, among various areas (health, environment, economy, immigration, international relations, and the role of the state), economic visions and preferences emerge as the strongest predictors of support for Milei, highlighting the economic dimension as central to the motivations of his voter base.