Call him what you want but Javier Milei is a political phenomenon. The 52-year-old libertarian economist and congressman has won the presidential primary election in Argentina, defeating the candidates of the traditional political parties and becoming the frontrunner for the October general election. His rise to the top of Argentina’s politics has been meteoric, surprising, and controversial.
Who is Javier Milei, and why does his victory matter?
Early life
Joshua Milei was born in 1970 in Buenos Aires, to a bus driver father and a housewife mother. He attended Cardenal Copello high school and decided to pursue a career in economics at the age of 12, after witnessing the hyperinflation crisis of the late 1970s and early 1980s. He was also a goalkeeper for Chacarita Juniors until 1989, and sang in a rock band called Everest, which played mostly Rolling Stones covers.
He obtained an economics degree at the private University of Belgrano, and received two master’s degrees from the Instituto de Desarrollo Económico y Social (IDES) and the private Torcuato di Tella University.
Career
After completing his masters, Joshua became a chief economist at Máxima AFJP (a private pension company), a head economist at Estudio Broda (a financial advising company), and a government consultant at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes. He was also formerly a senior economist at HSBC.
Since 2012, he has been leading the division of Economic Studies at Fundación Acordar, a think tank of national scope. He is also a member of the B20, the Economic Policy Group of International Chamber of Commerce (an advisor to the G20), and the World Economic Forum. He is a specialist in economic growth and has been a professor of several economic subjects in Argentine universities and abroad.
Javier Milei Political views and activism
Milei is a supporter of the Austrian School of economic thought, which advocates for free markets, minimal government intervention, and sound money. He considers himself to be a “short-term minarchist” but “philosophically an anarcho-capitalist”. He believes that Argentina is a tax hell and advocates for a fast reduction in government spending in order to balance the budget. He also proposes to dollarize the economy, shutter the central bank, and shut down some ministries to shrink the state.
Controversial Stands Of Joshua Milei
- He is against abortion, considers climate change “a ruse” invented by the left, and supports gun rights and the sale of human organs.
- He is an admirer of former US President Donald Trump, whom he met in 2019 at Mar-a-Lago, and identifies with Spain’s far-right party Vox.
- He has been an outspoken critic of the Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, Mauricio Macri, and Alberto Fernández administrations, accusing them of corruption, populism, and incompetence.
He became widely known for his regular television appearances, where he often engaged in heated debates and insults with other guests and hosts. He also gained popularity on social media platforms such as YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram, where he posts videos of his speeches, interviews, and songs. He has attracted a loyal fan base among young people who are disillusioned with the traditional political establishment.
Johua Milei Presidential campaign and victory
In 2020, Milei announced his intention to run for president in 2023 as the leader of La Libertad Avanza (Liberty Advances), a political coalition that includes other libertarian parties such as Partido Libertario (Libertarian Party) and Avanza Libertad (Advance Liberty). His running mate is Victoria Villarruel, a human rights activist and leader of the NGO Center for Legal Studies on Terrorism and Its Victims.
Javier Milei campaigned on a platform of radical economic reforms, promising to “blow up” the political status quo and restore individual freedom and prosperity. He held massive rallies across the country, where he sang rock songs, danced with supporters, and delivered fiery speeches against his opponents. He also used social media to communicate with his followers and mobilize them to vote.
On August 13, 2023, Milei won the presidential primary election with 31.61% of the votes when 96.76% of voting stations had been counted, becoming officially the candidate for La Libertad Avanza. He defeated Sergio Massa, the incumbent economy minister and candidate for Union por la Patria (Union for the Homeland), who obtained 20.9% of the votes, and Patricia Bullrich, the former security minister and candidate for Juntos por el Cambio (Together for Change), who obtained 16.98% of the votes. The sum of votes between Bullrich and another Together for Change candidate, Horacio Rodríguez Larreta, reached 28.3%, more than three points behind Milei.
His was a shock for the political establishment and the public opinion, as most polls had predicted a tight race between Massa and Bullrich, with Javier Milei trailing behind. His triumph was attributed to his ability to capitalize on the protest vote and the anger of the people over the economic and social crisis that has plagued Argentina for years. He also benefited from the low turnout of the primary election, which was 67.8%, the lowest in history.
Milei celebrated his victory with his supporters at his campaign headquarters, where he thanked them for their trust and vowed to continue fighting for liberty. He also challenged his rivals to a public debate, and warned them that they would face “the wrath of the people” in the general election.
Why Javier Milei Victory matters
Milei’s victory in the primary election has significant implications for Argentina’s politics and economy.
- It signals a major shift in the political landscape, where a far-right populist outsider has emerged as the leader of the opposition and the favorite to win the presidency. It also reflects the deep dissatisfaction and frustration of the voters with the traditional parties, which have failed to address the perennial economic crisis and social problems.
- Milei’s victory also has potential consequences for Argentina’s relations with the international community, especially with its main creditors, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and China. Milei has been critical of the IMF deal that was renegotiated by the Fernández government in 2022, and has threatened to default on Argentina’s debt if he becomes president. He has also expressed his distrust of China’s influence in Latin America, and has opposed its investments and loans in Argentina.
- His victory poses a challenge for his opponents, who will have to rethink their strategies and messages for the general election. Massa will have to deal with the low popularity and credibility of the Fernández administration, which has been weakened by the poor results of the primary election. Bullrich will have to find a way to attract Milei’s voters, who share some of her conservative views but are more radical and anti-establishment. Larreta will have to overcome his image of being a moderate and pragmatic politician, which may not appeal to the polarized electorate.
- Milei’s victory also raises questions about his ability to govern effectively if he becomes president. His radical proposals may face strong resistance from Congress, where he will not have a majority, and from other sectors of society, such as unions, social movements, and human rights organizations. His confrontational style may also generate conflicts with other political actors, both domestically and internationally. His lack of experience in public administration may also limit his capacity to implement his policies.
This victory by Javier Milei is a historic event for Argentina’s politics. It marks the emergence of a new political force that challenges the established order and offers a radical alternative to the voters. It also reflects the deep crisis that afflicts Argentina’s society and economy, and the demand for change that animates its people. Whether Milei will be able to fulfill his promises and expectations remains to be seen.
