Polls closed and vote counting began Sunday in Argentina's pivotal midterm elections, which will determine whether libertarian President Javier Milei can continue his polarizing campaign of downsizing the state.

The legislative elections are the first national test of support for Milei since he won office two years ago on a promise to revive the long-ailing Argentine economy by dint of painful reforms.

Half of the seats in the Chamber of Deputies and one-third of the Senate are up for grabs.

Milei's small La Libertad Avanza (LLA) party is hoping to significantly increase its seat tally in both chambers but is not expected to secure a majority.

Polls closed at 6:00 pm (2100 GMT) after ten hours of voting, with low turnout seen as a sign of disillusionment both with Milei and the opposit

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