STORY: Buenos Aires Province Governor Axel Kicillof delivered a defiant speech to supporters Sunday (October 26) night, rejecting President Javier Milei's claims of victory in midterm elections despite the Peronist opposition suffering a significant electoral setback.

President Milei's party, La Libertad Avanza, claimed a major victory, securing 41.5% of the vote in Buenos Aires province compared with 40.8% for the Peronist coalition, according to official results.

The province has long been a political stronghold for the Peronists, marking a dramatic political shift in Argentine politics. Nationwide, La Libertad Avanza won 64 seats in the House of Deputies, up from 37, according to government figures.

But Kicillof, addressing a crowd of chanting supporters, argued that the results showed widespread rejection of Milei's policies.

Milei has said the victory marked a turning point and vowed to pursue reforms his government still considers necessary.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: SOUNDBITES FROM OPPOSITION PERONIST LEADER AXEL KICILLOF

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: LA PLATA, BUENOS AIRES PROVINCE, ARGENTINA (OCTOBER 26, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. BUENOS AIRES PROVINCE GOVERNOR AND OPPOSITION PERONIST LEADER, AXEL KICILLOF, ARRIVING AT STAGE

2. KICILLOF WAVING TO PEOPLE

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BUENOS AIRES PROVINCE GOVERNOR AND OPPOSITION PERONIST LEADER, AXEL KICILLOF, SAYING:

"Milei and the government are mistaken if they celebrate this election result, in which six out of ten Argentines have said they disagree with the model they are proposing. They are also mistaken if they ignore the situation our people are going through, which is one of enormous suffering, marked by job losses and a decline in economic activity, where companies are closing every day, where the most vulnerable are suffering more and more every day."

4. PEOPLE CHANTING SLOGANS

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BUENOS AIRES PROVINCE GOVERNOR AND OPPOSITION PERONIST LEADER, AXEL KICILLOF, SAYING:

"I would like to give special thanks to someone who should be here, but is unjustly imprisoned: Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner."

6. PEOPLE CHEERING TO KICILLOF ON STAGE

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BUENOS AIRES PROVINCE GOVERNOR AND OPPOSITION PERONIST LEADER, AXEL KICILLOF, SAYING:

" The people suffer, and so does the homeland. The homeland is not for sale. Because the future is ours, it does not belong to Milei, the future of the people, thank you very much."

8. KICILLOF WAVING TO PEOPLE AND EMBRACING VICE GOVERNOR OF THE PROVINCE OF BUENOS AIRES VERONICA MAGARIO