Javier Milei promised a “new era” for Argentina when he was sworn in as the country’s new president on Sunday, sealing the rise of a political newcomer who gained popularity by pushing shock economic reforms.
Milei is an economist and former political commentator who began brandishing a chainsaw on the campaign trail to symbolize his intention to cut spending. His rise has surprised Argentina’s political establishment, which has compared him to former US President Donald Trump.
Mileio’s predecessor, Alberto Fernandez, presided over the swearing-in ceremony before the National Congress in Buenos Aires. Sworn in before his first presidential speech, Milei pledged to implement sweeping changes, reflecting that “Argentinians have overwhelmingly expressed their desire for irreversible change”.
The ceremony was attended by several prominent figures, including Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky and Jair Bolsonaro, the former president of Brazil.
Later, as Milei greeted supporters from the iconic Casa Rosada, he sang a short song and told the crowd: “I want you to know that after more than a hundred years of decline, we will begin the reconstruction of Argentina and redraw the ideas of freedom, even if we have to endure a period of hardness, we will move forward .”
The ceremony was attended by several prominent figures, including Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky and Jair Bolsonaro, the former president of Brazil.
Later, as Milei greeted supporters from the iconic Casa Rosada, he sang a short song and told the crowd: “I want you to know that after more than a hundred years of decline, we will begin the reconstruction of Argentina and redraw the ideas of freedom, even if we have to endure a period of hardness, we will move forward .”
Milei, 53, was elected president in a second round on November 19 with 55.9% of the vote against 44% for Sergio Massa, the current finance minister.
After winning the election, he gained national prominence and promised radical reforms such as dollarization and austerity measures to deal with Argentina’s economic problems.
He has already met with top US officials in Washington and his economic team has worked with IMF officials to formulate a plan aimed at reshaping the country’s foreign policy and leading its economy out of the current crisis.
His campaign promise to dollarize, if enacted, could push the country into new territory: no country the size of Argentina has yet handed over the reins of its own monetary policy to decision makers in Washington.
He promised to cut government spending by closing Argentina’s ministries of culture, education and diversity and scrapping public subsidies.
Milei’s political agenda also includes limiting gun control regulations and transferring authority over the prison system from civilians to the military; both measures are part of a tough approach to criminal activity.
