Javier Milei: The Change Argentina Foresees In An Outsider (image: twitter.com/JMilei)
Javier Gerardo Milei a TV personality-turned-politician emerged with spellbinding victory in Argentina”s presidential election on Sunday. An Argentinian economist and author, Mr Milei has received 55.7% votes, counted to be the highest percentage a presidential candidate gathered since Argentina”s return to democracy in 1983.
Born on October 22, 1970 in Buenos Aires, young Milie”s aggressive rhetoric and angry outbursts during the school time has earned him the nickname as El Loco (“The Madman”). Growing up, his studies were concentrated on economics, and for over more than 20 years, Mr Miles served as the University Professor of Macroeconomics, Economics of Growth, Microeconomics and Mathematics for Economists. Mr Miles also performed as a Chief Economist at various government organisations – both national, and international. Besides, he was also a member of the B20, the Economic Policy Group of International Chamber of Commerce as well as the World Economic Forum. He has authored several books, and also a well known television personality and radio show host. His aggressive outbursts, and use of vile language in debates has earned him a reputation of being “antipolitical” or “disruptive” in political circles. Often, he was being compared to former US president Donald Trump and Brazil”s Jair Bolsonaro.
Mr Milei has been identified politically as populist, ultraconservative, far-right, right-wing libertarian, and ultraliberal whereas he associate himself as a liberal libertarian; besides, he also describe himself as an “anarcho-capitalist.” Since his observations are marked distinct from the Argentine political atmosphere it invited political controversies and reactions as well. Mr Milei put forward the abolition of the Central Bank of Argentina which would lead to de facto dollarized economy and a comprehensive rebuilding of nation”s fiscal and structural policies. He strongly objects abortion, even if it is in the case of rape, and proposed a referendum to reconsider the 2020 law (Voluntary Interruption of Pregnancy Bill) that legalised abortion. Similarly, he criticised comprehensive sex education in schools as a form of “brainwashing”. Also, Mr Milei indicated his distrust towards COVID-19 vaccines. Apart from them, he favours civilian firearm ownership, suggests to legalize the sale of human organs, advances the far-right Cultural Marxism conspiracy theory, take part in climate change denial, and wish to limit immigration of criminals.
His presidential campaign was well known for the effective use of social media, especially TikTok wherein his array of influencers and followers spread his message to attract young voters. Mr Milei, being unmarried, the important persons in his personal life includes his sister Karina, who also took up the role of his campaign manager and his dogs. He is expected to take the position on December 10, 2023. Mr Milei”s victory marks a dawn of new era in Argentinian politics, as he is clearly an outsider than from the traditional political parties, which in a way underlines the dissatisfaction and annoyance that many Argentines had with the socio economic situation of the country as well as the quest for change.
