South America’s second-largest economy is about to start a new journey with a totally unpredictable future before its eyes as former TV host turned politician Javier Milei takes the helm of Argentina’s Presidency. The world is keen to see how the Donald Trump-like politician runs the office of an economically unstable nation.
Table of Contents
The Outsider to lead from the front
Javier Milei of the Liberty Advances party secured an astonishing victory in the presidential election as his side earned a decisive win over Peronist Economy Minister Sergio Massa. Milei landed some 56% votes over 44% votes of his rival Massa. Argentina has taken a leap of faith into the dark with the arrival of Milei, as he has no prior governing experience. Despite his inexperience, the 45 million people of Argentina have spoken in his favour for a person who might break down the entire system.
Milei, in his first speech after the win, said that the model of decadence has reached its end, and there is no turning back. The TV celebrity-turned-politician, who at times is compared to Donald Trump for his disdain against socialism, media, and political establishments, has said that Argentina will embrace the model of liberty once again and become a world power. He has promised the people drastic changes to overcome the rising inflation and poverty.
His rival, Sergio Massa, remained gracious in his defeat as he congratulated his opponent even before the official results. Milei turned the wave of voter rage to his benefit as people were unhappy and angry with the inflation, insecurity, and poverty under the Peronist party, giving a monumental advantage to the former. An expected victory for the Liberty Advances party considering the 140% inflation rate and 40% people living below the poverty line under the same Minister of Economy who stands for the president’s election. The defeat was inevitable under the conditions.
Who is Javier Milei ?
Milei is a famous TV celebrity who used to impersonate Mick Jagger, a fierce right-wing supporter, an outsider with Radical views, and an ultraconservative person. He firmly opposes abortion, even in cases of rape. He guaranteed to dollarize the economy, shut down the central bank, and reduce the number of government ministries from 18 to eight.
He is a climate-denying populist who goes by the nickname El Loco (the Madman). Federico Finchelstein, an Argentinian historian, said that Milei is more excessive and unstable than Jair Bolsonaro and Donald Trump and is highly unpredictable with power in hand. He proved his skill at creating interest in Argentina’s youth, who widely backed him as he used social media and interviews to his gain and turned the volatile population on his side.
Argentina takes a blind leap
The 45 million people of Argentina are in for an unpredictable four years as Javier Milei gets ready to take office on December 10th – The 40th anniversary of Argentina’s return to democracy after the collapse of its military dictatorship. The nation might face a drastic change in its political and economic landscape in the days ahead.
Milei addressed the problems ahead, including poverty, unemployment, and inflation, and rejected all types of half-measures to resolve the critical situation. His challenges are mountainous as he will have to deal with the empty coffers of the central bank and the government, a massive $44 billion debt program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), inflation rising above 140%, and a wide range of capital controls.
Milei iterated his intention to have good relations with the US and raised a critical statement on China and Brazil. Despite the criticism, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva wished luck and success after the announcement of the result.
Trump and world leaders, with the applause
Donald Trump congratulated Milei for winning the race for the Presidency and said that he was proud of the latter and placed his faith in Milei to make Argentina great again.
Former Argentine Presidents Alberto Fernandez and Mauricio Macri reacted to the victory. The White House congratulated the success and iterated the interest in building the relationship between the two nations. A few South American nation’s leaders also released statements congratulating Javier Milei.
The road forward for Milei is not easy considering his lack of experience. His political actions are under the heavy scrutiny of nations across the globe.
