The newly elected leader of Argentina, Javier Milei, has promised to guide his nation away from years of decline and deterioration. However, he also acknowledged that the current economic crisis will worsen in the upcoming months. Meanwhile, a group of prominent far-right figures from around the world gathered in Buenos Aires to commemorate the inauguration of this radical libertarian.
Speaking to a large crowd of supporters in front of the turquoise-domed neoclassical congress building in Argentina, Milei, a former TV personality nicknamed El Loco or the Madman, drew parallels between his surprise victory and the beginning of the Soviet Union’s downfall.
“Just as the fall of the Berlin Wall marked the end of a tragic era for the world, these elections represent a tipping point in our history,” he declared, promising to “fight tooth and nail” to drag his country into “a new era of peace and prosperity”.
The speaker cautioned that Argentina, with an estimated annual inflation rate of 200% and 40% of its population living in poverty, is in a state of emergency. He acknowledged the immense task ahead and stated his preference for sharing an unsettling truth rather than a reassuring falsehood.
Milei’s address echoed Donald Trump’s 2017 inauguration speech, where the wealthy businessman promised to put an end to the “American carnage” of crime and poverty and give power back to the people. Milei declared that Argentina has turned into a violent battleground, and pledged to take on the drug traffickers who have taken control of the streets in its major cities.
Just moments ago, he was officially inaugurated as Argentina’s upcoming leader in the company of far-right allies such as Brazil’s ex-president Jair Bolsonaro, Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orbán, Chile’s Republican party leader José Antonio Kast, and Spain’s Vox party leader Santiago Abascal. Orbán shared on Twitter, “The rise of the right is not limited to Europe, but is spreading globally!” as he landed in Argentina’s capital.
The list of attendees at the inauguration also featured Chile’s president, Gabriel Boric, Spain’s King Felipe VI, and Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Milei has referred to Putin as a risky leader and seems to be positioning Argentina as Ukraine’s main ally in Latin America. In a post on X, Zelenskiy stated: “This marks a fresh start for Argentina and I hope that President Milei and the people of Argentina will amaze the world with their achievements.”
Several prominent left-leaning politicians, such as Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Colombian President Gustavo Petro, chose not to attend. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, both known for their authoritarian leadership styles, were not extended invitations.
People who supported Milei traveled to Buenos Aires from all over Argentina to see what they believed could be a significant moment in history.
Carmen Quiñez, a 50-year-old grandmother who had traveled for 12 hours from the northern province of Salta, expressed the need for complete and radical transformation upon meeting her new president.
“It is a day of freedom,” stated Francisco Labriola, a 35-year-old lawyer specializing in criminal cases from the town of Benito Juárez. “We are rejoicing in our freedom.”
Labriola, sporting a red cap with the slogan “Make America Great Again,” likened Milei to three other right-wing populists in the region: Trump, Bolsonaro, and Nayib Bukele, the hardline president of El Salvador who has imprisoned thousands in an effort to combat gang activity. “This is not just for the United States, but for all of America,” Labriola declared, gesturing to his Maga hat.
Some Brazilian conservatives, including those wearing pro-gun or Bolsonaro-themed shirts, traveled to witness what they saw as a significant victory for the new right in Latin America. Vinicius Rothsahl, a Bolsonarista from Florianópolis, declared it a defeat for the left while holding up a banner that read: “Trump 2024: Save America Again.”
Milei departed for the presidential palace in a Mercedes convertible, while uncertainties remained regarding the type of government the unpredictable economist would establish and what policies he would reveal in the upcoming days.
Milei, who initially entered the political arena as a congressman in 2021, gained support by pledging to bring about significant change for voters tired of the economic mismanagement and corruption that has devastated Argentina’s economy. Throughout his campaign, he vowed to eliminate the corrupt political elite and eradicate inflation through the closure of ministries and implementation of a strict austerity plan.
The publication Noticias reported on Milei’s inauguration with the headline on the front page: “A new era begins: Whether for better or worse, everything will change.” On Saturday evening, followers of Milei gathered for a symbolic vigil outside the central bank, which their leader has promised to shut down.
“We are making a mark in Argentina’s history,” stated Carlos D’Alessandro, a recently elected representative of Milei’s political party, Libertad Avanza (Freedom Advances). “Our goal is to eradicate corruption, eliminate inflation, and establish a strong economic foundation.”
There have been indications since Milei’s election in November that he may be abandoning some of his more radical ideas, even though he has aligned himself with right-wing figures like Bolsonaro and Orbán.
The new president of Argentina has attempted to mend relationships with Brazil, China and the Vatican after criticizing them during the election. A few of his strongest supporters, such as his running mate Victoria Villarruel, seem to have been somewhat marginalized.
The symbolic chainsaw used by Milei during his campaign, representing his desire for budget cuts, has now vanished. Additionally, his proposal to replace the peso with the dollar seems to have been postponed. According to D’Alessandro, Milei still intends to implement dollarisation, but at a later time.
D’Alessandro expressed certainty that Milei had a daring strategy to assist Argentina in achieving its economic capabilities. “Milei is an expert in economics… [he] understands what needs to be done and how to do it.” However, he acknowledged that Argentina would experience a tumultuous period as Milei implemented “shock measures” aimed at repairing an economy in a “disastrous condition.”
The initial demonstrations against the government are currently in the works.
Juan Cruz Díaz, the CEO of consulting firm Cefeidas Group in Buenos Aires, stated that it is uncertain what path Milei will take his country on during his four-year term. “We are venturing into unfamiliar territory… We only know him as a non-traditional candidate and a provocative TV economist… We have yet to see Javier Milei as president,” he commented.
Emiliano Garrido, a 44-year-old supporter of Milei, acknowledged that he was unsure about the potential increase in prices or decrease in the value of the peso in the near future due to the drastic measures implemented by his president. However, he maintained that there was no other option. He stated, “We must make a complete turnaround or we will face a fate similar to the Titanic. Sacrifices will have to be made if we want to see a positive outcome.”
Source: theguardian.com
