Javier Milei promises to begin ‘redrawing the ideas of freedom’ after inauguration as Argentina’s president

Outgoing President of Argentina Alberto Fernandez hands the Presidential cane to President elect Javier Milei during his Inauguration Ceremony at National Congress on December 10, 2023 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Javier Milei is handed the Presidential cane by his predecessor Alberto Fernandez during his inauguration ceremony.Tomas Cuesta/Getty ImagesCNN — 

Javier Milei pledged a “new era” for Argentina as he was sworn in as the country’s new president on Sunday, sealing the ascent of a political newcomer who garnered popularity by advocating shock economic reforms.

Milei is an economist and former political commentator who took to wielding a chainsaw on the campaign to symbolise his intent to slash spending. His rise surprised Argentina’s political establishment, drawing comparisons with former US President Donald Trump.

The swearing-in ceremony was presided over by Milei’s predecessor Alberto Fernandez before the nation’s congress in Buenos Aires. Milei took the oath before giving his first speech as president, vowing to introduce sweeping changes and reflecting that “Argentineans had overwhelmingly expressed their desire for change that has no turning back.”

Several prominent figures were in attendance at the ceremony, including Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky and Jair Bolsonaro, the former president of Brazil.

Later, greeting supporters from the iconic Casa Rosada, Milei sang a short song and told the crowd: “I want you to be aware that we are going to begin the reconstruction of Argentina after more than a hundred years of decline, redrawing the ideas of freedom, although we are going to have to endure a period of hardness, we will move forward.”

“We are going to be a power again,” he added.

Argentina's newly sworn-in President Javier Milei waves to supporters from a car heading to the government house Casa Rosada after his swearing-in ceremony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. At right is his sister Karina.

Milei waves to supporters after his swearing-in ceremony.Natacha Pisarenko/AP

Supporters of Argentina's President-elect Javier Milei gather outside the Congress during the inauguration ceremony of Argentina's President-elect Javier Milei, in Buenos Aires on December 10, 2023.

Supporters of Milei gather outside Congress during the ceremony.Emiliano Lasalvia/AFP/Getty Images

Milei, 53, was elected president in the runoff on November 19 with 55.9% of the votes against the 44% obtained by Sergio Massa, the current finance minister.

He gained national prominence after winning the elections, promising radical reforms such as dollarization and austerity to address Argentina’s economic challenges.

He has already met with top US officials in Washington, https://trukgandeng.com and his economic team has collaborated with IMF officers to formulate a plan aimed at reshaping the country’s foreign policy and guiding its economy out of the current crisis.

Milei entered the race as a political outsider on a promise to “break up with the status quo” – exemplified by his rival Massa, a career politician.

His campaign promise to dollarize, if enacted, could thrust the country into new territory: no country of Argentina’s size has previously turned over the reins of its own monetary policy to Washington decision-makers.

Milei, a social conservative with ties to the American right, opposes abortion rights and has called climate change a “lie of socialism.”

He has promised to slash government spending by closing Argentina’s ministries of culture, education, and diversity, and by eliminating public subsidies.

Milei’s political program also includes slashing regulations on gun control and transferring authority over the penitentiary system from civilians to the military; both measures part of a tough-on-crime approach.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*