‘Argentina’s Trump’ elected president: Who is far-right leader Javier Milei?

The presidential race in Argentina came in backdrop of complete political disarray, three-digit inflation and widespread poverty – reflecting the country’s desperation for an alternative to those in power.

But who is Milei, the headline-grabbing, wild-haired ‘outsider’ in the political landscape of Argentina? We take a look.

Milei’s political beginnings 

A relatively recent entry into the politics of Argentina, the 53-year-old found fame as a TV personality, who pontificated on economics and sex. “Each man has his own dynamic. In my particular case, I ejaculate every three months,” Milei boasted on air once, quoted The Guardian.

In 2021, propped to the limelight with his histrionics and outburts, the economist was elected to congress along with his Libertad Avanza (Freedom Advances) party. His victory in the primary polls in August sent shock waves through country’s political landscape, as 30.5% of voters expressed support for the self-proclaimed outsider.

As per a report in AP, Milei shared a tense relationship with his father, who was a transport businessman. He also played in a Rolling Stones tribute band and served as a goalkeeper in a youth soccer club – both paths he left to become an economist during a period of hyperinflation in Argentina.

Meanwhile, Juan Gonzalez, a journalist and author of the unauthorised biography on Milei, “El Loco” (The Crazy One), who wrote about Milei’s abusive parents and a lonely childhood, has raised questions on his precarious state of mind, calling him an “unstable leader” for an “unstable country”.

Abolishing central banks, easing gun laws, anti-abortion views: What he stands for

In a televised speech after his win, Milei said: “The reconstruction of Argentina begins. Today begins the end of Argentina’s decline. The model of decadence has come to an end. There is no way back.”

🚨 Milei speaks live as the elected president:

“Half of the Argentinians are poor, and 10% are destitute, enough of the impoverishing model of the Caste. Today we will embrace the freedom model and return to being a world power.” pic.twitter.com/dNDWw8DwPx

— Students For Liberty (@sfliberty) November 20, 2023

The libertarian leader, who has drawn frequent comparisons to former US president Donald Trump and Jair Bolsonaro, has pushed for abolishing central banks and dollarising the economy. But even amidst waves of voter helplessness, Milei has invited plenty criticism during his campaign.

By branding human-driven climate change a ‘socialist lie’, muting down the crimes of Argentina’s dictatorship, speaking in favour of legalizing the sale of organs and easing gun laws, the leader has left those who oppose him ‘scared’ of his unapologetic ideas.

Milei has even pledged to hold a referendum to repeat access to abortion if elected, and suggested shunning Argentina’s biggest trading partners, China and Brazil.

“It would be truly catastrophic,” said the agriculture secretary, Juan José Bahillo, claiming the latter proposal would cost Argentina $25bn and hundreds of thousands of jobs, the Guardian reported.

A political stuntman

Even in politics, the far-right leader has continued to indulge in his propensity for histrionics.

Earlier this year, Javier began toting chainsaws at his rallies – a representation of his hunger to attack the system, and blasting what he calls the ‘political caste’.

During a rally in September, the leader was seen yelling “The caste is trembling!” while he brandished weapon, reported AP.

The chainsaw is “a very explicit representation of what everyone feels, which is that the government is overflowing with people who, in general, don’t fulfill any function,” said Mariel Fornoni of political consultancy Management & Fit. Milei.

In 2020, a short campaign movie of his ends with a close-up shot of him grinning mischievously as he grabs a medieval-style war hammer to smash a model of the central bank. The mob of black-shirted, fist-pumping supporters huddled around him chant “Destruction! Destruction! Destruction!”, before descending on the wreckage of the bank.

But it is no doubt that Milei’s unconventional projections, and his drastic views have struck a chord with a helpless electorate in the Lation American country, with experts calling Sunday’s result a ‘protest vote’.

“This is a triumph that is less due to Milei and his peculiarities and particularities and more to the demand for change,” The Guardian quoted Lucas Romero, the head of Synopsis, a local political consulting firm, as saying.