in 2024, Javier Milei continues his program, his excesses and his provocations

The whimsical Argentine president came to power with a bang on December 10. Outrage and provocation… in 2024, we cannot change a winning recipe.

Breaking the codes, acting without filter, revolutionizing the way politics is done: this is his trademark, and he sticks to it. Saturday December 30, Javier Milei bursts onto the stage where his new partner, a very well-known artist, is finishing the public recording of a television show.

Fatima Florez throws herself into his arms, the embrace is fiery, it never ends – he in a dark presidential suit, she in a gold lamé bodysuit, extremely low-cut with matching leggings. Until this totally immodest kiss with the tongue, perfectly placed in front of the cameras and under the heckling of the public. And then, as if nothing had happened, a political speech.

“The situation is complicated” said Javier Milei, “very complicated. We work seven days a week, 24 hours a day to untangle the mess (the “quilombo”) that they left us. Difficult months lie ahead. But it’s worth it. We’re going to get back on our feet and come out stronger“. Half show, half meeting… and everything to create a buzz. A mixture of genres which on social networks shocked many Argentinians.

The resistance is organized

“Difficult months“: on this point too Javier Milei remains faithful to what he had promised. A liberal revolution, with massive deregulation of the economy. Except that resistance is being organized.

Since December, tens of thousands of demonstrators have already taken to the streets, almost every evening concerts of pots and pans resonate in the neighborhoods and a general strike is planned for January 24. Never in 40 years of democracy has an Argentine president faced such opposition so early.

Citizens are contesting a mega-decree that came into force last week (which repeals more than 300 existing texts) and a mega-bill with… 664 articles which must pass before Parliament. Restriction of the right to strike, privatization of around forty companies, removal of rent controls… Even for its supporters, this ultra-liberal program supposed to stop Argentina’s descent into hell is going too fast and too far. With the same brutality on January 2, Milei dismissed the army’s top leaders without notice, the largest military reshuffle in twenty years.

Refusal to join the BRICS club

On the international level, there too, its decisions are misunderstood. On January 1, the BRICS club took on a new dimension. This economic forum, which brings together Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa and seeks to counterbalance Western influence, has been joined by five new countries: Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates. But not Argentina, which also appeared on the list of these VIP guests.

Out of the question, says Javier Milei, to sign “contracts with the communists“. His decision arouses incomprehension and disappointment. He prefers to turn to the United States, hoping, in exchange for his loyalty, for funding from the IMF or private investors. A somewhat caricatured vision of geopolitics … It is his trademark, to which he remains completely faithful.