Who is Javier Milei, the president-elect of Argentina?

On November 19, Argentina elected its new president. The economist and current national congressman, Javier Milei was elected president of the nation in a day in which 76% of the 35.8 million inhabitants with the right to vote participated.

Milei obtained 55.91% of approval, compared to his opponent Sergio Massa, who obtained 44.09% of approval.

Thus, Javier Milei becomes the new president of a nation of divided opinions, but who is Javier Milei? Here we tell you.

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Who is Javier Milei?

Milei, leader of the political party La Libertad Avanza (LLA), and his running mate, Victoria Villarruel, obtained 55.91% of the votes nationwide, according to the first data of the National Electoral Directorate (DINE).

Javier Gerardo Milei, 53 years old, born in the Buenos Aires neighborhood of Palermo, holds a degree in Economics from the Universidad de Belgrano and has obtained two master’s degrees from the Universidad Torcuato di Tella and the Instituto de Desarrollo Económico y Social (IDES).

Milei also received an honorary doctorate from ESEADE University Institute in December last year. The controversial parliamentarian comes from a family linked to passenger transportation, being the son of Norberto Milei and Alicia Lucich, and has a sister named Karina Elizabeth.

During his adolescence, from 1987 to 1989, Javier Milei was a goalkeeper in the lower divisions of the Chacarita Juniors club and was part of the professional team. He is also known for being a dog lover, naming his five dogs after prominent economists such as Milton Friedman, Murray Rothbard and Robert Lucas.

Javier Milei’s career

Milei began his professional career as an intern at the Central Bank of Argentina (BCRA) between December 1992 and June 1993.

In the early 2000s, he excelled as a professor, teaching Macroeconomics, Growth Economics, Microeconomics, Monetary Theory, Monetary Economics, Financial Theory and Mathematics for economists at universities both abroad and in Argentina, including the University of Buenos Aires and UADE.

Javier Milei’s entry into the Argentine political arena dates back to February 23, 2019, when, during a political event in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (CABA), he announced his affiliation to the Libertarian Party, subsequently being named honorary president of the same.

Towards mid-2020, Milei expressed his support for opposition demonstrations against the government of Alberto Fernández, the current president.

Two years later, on August 7, 2021, he officially launched his campaign as a pre-candidate for national deputy in Plaza Holanda, Palermo, City of Buenos Aires, accompanied by Victoria Villarruel and Ramiro Marra as second pre-candidate for national deputy and first pre-candidate for porteño legislator, respectively.

In the 2021 primary elections, the list headed by Milei received 242,839 votes, representing 13.90% of the votes, consolidating itself as the third political force in the district, following Juntos por el Cambio (JxC) and Frente de Todos (FdT).

Already in this position, his popularity increases, as Milei stood out for his fervent advocacy of radical measures such as the dollarization of the currency and the elimination of the Central Bank.

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Milei’s success

Love him or hate him, the now elected president of Argentina has become a media phenomenon.

Arguably, Milei’s success is rooted in his extreme popularity. Cultivated as an economic commentator on television programs, his critical and vehement image catapulted him to stardom.

The controversial politician of La Libertad Avanza continues to generate controversy by expressing his support for the free sale and purchase of firearms and the commercialization of human organs, arguing that the state should not regulate these aspects and stressing the primacy of individual property over the body.

His statements provoked the condemnation of the Instituto Nacional Central Único Coordinador de Ablación e Implante (INCUCAI), which recalled the illegality of organ trade according to the law.

Regarding the law on voluntary termination of pregnancy, the congressman clearly positions himself as an opponent, stressing that his approach focuses on the defense of the rights to life, property and freedom.

These positions have generated strong reactions and debates in the public opinion and among different political and social sectors.

The victory

With his victory, Javier Milei, declared that “the end of Argentine decadence begins” and highlighted the need to retake the lost path due to the omnipresent state model that benefits a few and becomes a booty for politicians and their cronies.

The victory of Javier Milei, a far-right candidate, in the second round of the Argentinean presidential elections has provoked diverse reactions at international level.

Political leaders are divided between those who regret that it is a sad moment for Latin America, those who emphasize respect for the electoral process and those who celebrate the result. In Argentina, Sergio Massa, the defeated candidate, proposed to start the transition with Milei, although it is not clear whether he will actively participate or take a leave of absence. The outgoing president, Alberto Fernández, acknowledged the popular verdict and expressed his willingness for an orderly transition.

At the regional level, different leaders such as Gustavo Petro and the presidents of Brazil and Chile spoke out, each with different approaches. Internationally, former President Donald Trump congratulated Milei, while Bolsonaro, Abascal and others also expressed their support.

Luis Almagro, from the OAS, congratulated Milei and expressed his willingness to strengthen cooperation ties with Argentina.

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