A mercurial emperor for an anxious country

On November 19, the people of Argentina voted for change. With no margin for debate, the far-right libertarian economist Javier Milei was elected president of the country with 56 percent of the vote, defeating the ruling party’s candidate, Sergio Massa, who had served as Economy Minister for a year without any notable accomplishments. 

But while the vote for Mr. Milei was related to his economic promises, such as his vows to dollarize the economy, reduce the role of the state, and eliminate cabinet ministries, he also marks a shift in Argentina’s political pattern. 

In contrast to most of the country’s political establishment, the president-elect is surrounded by risks of downplaying Argentina’s brutal dictatorial past. Mr. Milei once questioned the real number of victims during the military regime, and his future vice president, Victoria Villarruel, even advocates the release of jailed former torturers. She is considered one of the most radical names in the Buenos Aires executive since the end of the military regime in 1983. 

Mr. Milei is also known for his explosive temperament and aggressive rhetoric.

He sometimes appeared at campaign rallies carrying a chainsaw, saying he would be merciless against corruption He’s also spoken at length about blowing up the central bank and “cutting ties with communists.”

We still don’t know which Javier Milei will be sworn in next month. But brace yourself: you’ll be hearing a lot from Argentina over the next four years. 

Check out the creation of this cartoon on The Brazilian Report’s TikTok (@brazilianreport) account.

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