Previously a polemicist on television, the “anti-system” candidate juggles between dissent and shocking proposals, while Argentina is experiencing an inflationary crisis.
He promises to “tronçonner” the State, admires Donald Trump, denies any responsibility of man in climate change and wants to release “kicking the ass” there “parasitic political caste” Argentina. Javier Milei, a 53-year-old ultraliberal economist who defines himself as an “anarcho-capitalist”, is leading the voting intentions in the first round of the Argentine presidential election, which takes place on Sunday October 22.
In the midst of an inflationary crisis, with a 138% price increase in one year, the “anti-system” candidate, who promises to put an end to “this aberration called social justice”, has a serious chance of winning this election. According to the latest polls, he has 35% of voting intentions, ahead of the current government candidate, Sergio Massa, at 30%. Franceinfo makes the presentations.
An “anarcho-capitalist” and “anti-system” candidate
Previously a polemicist on Argentine television, Javier Milei entered politics in 2021. Elected deputy in Buenos Aires, he quickly gained popularity thanks to his radical proposals and his strident, even insulting, language. “Let them all go away, let there not be one left!”he chants during his meetings, where he promises his voters to release “kicking the ass” there “parasitic political caste” Argentina. Self-proclaimed “anarcho-capitalist”, he describes himself as libertarian, with a libertarian touch. He thus says he is opposed to abortion, but envisages a market for the sale of organs.
While Argentines are exhausted by over-indebtedness and rising prices, Javier Milei also highlights his training as an economist and makes shocking proposals. He promises deregulation and privatizations, a “chainsaw plan” in public services and to put an end to “this aberration called social justice, synonymous with budget deficit”. It also offers a “dollarization” of the Argentine economy to fight against inflation, i.e. the replacement of the peso, the national currency, with the American currency. A project qualified as “mirage”, with perilous social and inflationary costs, by 170 economists from various sides.
A man of the stage, popular on social networks
Javier Milei is also a man of the stage. In his meetings, he describes himself as “Lion” who is going to save Argentina, in reference to his messy hairstyle, and shouts his shocking slogan at the top of his lungs: “Long live freedom, damn it!” The candidate promises to make Argentina a new “world power”a “promised land” of emigration as at the beginning of the 20th century. The dream of a “rediscovered greatness” which is reminiscent of Donald Trump, for whom he has expressed his admiration several times.
The “anarcho-capitalist” is also very present on social networks, where his speech of meritocracy and degagisme has found an echo with a popular electorate, young and disillusioned by the classic parties. In the past, Javier Milei was also a football player and rock singer, which he highlights on his social networks to fuel his popularity.
The candidate who came out on top in the primaries
Leading the polls ahead of the government candidate, Minister of the Economy Sergio Massa, Javier Milei has already experienced victory at the polls. The ultraliberal came out on top in the primaries organized in August, with more than 30% of the votes. In Argentina, primaries take place before the presidential election, during which Argentines are called upon to choose the parties and candidates who then participate in the first round of the presidential election. The day after Javier Milei’s victory, the peso was devalued by 20%.
Now, according to the latest polls, the “anti-system” candidate is credited with 35% of voting intentions. To be elected in the first round, a candidate must obtain at least 45% of the votes, or 40% of the votes but 10% ahead of the runner-up. Otherwise, a second round will take place on November 19. Javier Milei could then face the candidate of the current government, Sergio Massa, whom the polls credit with 30%, or perhaps the candidate of the right-wing coalition, Patricia Bullrich, announced at 26% of voting intentions.