“Confessed ultraliberal,” admirer of the mafia, “ultra-rightist,” “reactionary fireworks in Argentina.” This is how the French and British newspapers, radio and television media described Javier Miley and his presidential victory.
It was first news in all the media this Monday and it astonishes them. You will have to work to find interlocutors among your peers.
Doubts from the Financial Times
The Financial Times, the most prestigious financial newspaper that Javier Milei should read every day, predicts: “Javier Milei may have won an unexpectedly large majority in Argentina’s presidential elections. But the self-proclaimed ‘anarcho-capitalist’ faces enormous obstacles to implementing his radical program to reduce the government and dollarize the economy.” It is the opinion of Michael Stott.
“Pity Argentina faces enormous obstacles to govern”He titles. “The lack of majority in Congress and the serious economic problems They pose an enormous challenge to the insurgent president-elect,” the Financial Times continues.
“Argentina plunges into the unknown by electing the far-right libertarian Javier Milei.” headlines the French financial newspaper Les Echos.
“Way ahead of his rival, the Minister of Economy Sergio Massa, with almost 56% of the votes, Javier Milei will be the new president of Argentina as of December 10. While a part of the population appears euphoric “Faced with the idea of expelling the Peronists from power, another person sinks into sadness,” writes the French economic newspaper.
The French press: very critical
“The election of the ultraliberal Javier Milei criticized by the French political class,” headlined the conservative French newspaper Le Figaro. “With 56%, the anti-establishment Javier Milei won the presidential elections in Argentina. The victory of the ultraliberal and anti-system Argentine candidate sparks outrage in France”continued Le Figaro.
“Skeptical about the climate and opposed to abortion, recently legalized in Argentina, the Trump of the Pampas “He has become known for his scandalous outings,” he described it.
“Shocking images transmitted by Clémentine Autain, deputy of France Insoumise (LFI), in X. “The new president J. Milei regularly waved a chainsaw to symbolize his upcoming cuts in public spending. “Anarcho-capitalist”, climate skeptic, anti-abortion, admirer of Bolsonaro/Trump… I support the Argentines who will resist him,” he published on the social network.
His colleague from Francia Insumisa, Thomas Portes, He predicted that “the worst is yet to come,” before lamenting a “catastrophic” result for Argentina,” reflects Le Figaro.
“In the left, voices joined together to denounce the victory of the anti-system candidate. As the first secretary of the Socialist Party, Olivier Faure: “Reactionary fireworks in Argentina. Chemically pure liberalism. “It is claimed that there is unfiltered climate skepticism, toxic masculinism, homophobia and transphobia.”
“A shared observation among environmentalists. After allowing herself a comment about hair – “Having an improbable hairstyle” – Sandrine Rousseau launched a list of Javier Milei’s defects: “Being skeptical about the climate. Ultraliberal. Hating women,” according to Le Figaro.
“Also in Renacimiento, the government party, the resounding victory of the former Buenos Aires deputy is outrageous. The general secretary of the presidential party, Stéphane Séjourné, insisted on repeating “over and over again” that “each time, these experiences end in failure and suffering,” pointing out “the far-right populist adventure chosen by Argentina,” Le Figaro said. .
His connection with the military
“It also has the support of the armed forces that voted overwhelmingly for him. Javier Milei has minimized the crimes of the dictatorship throughout his campaign, calling them simple “excesses.” He considers that the figure of 30,000 disappeared between 1976 and 1983 proposed by human rights defenders “is an excuse to continue stealing,” wrote Le Figaro. They highlight Milei’s use of vulgarity to attract young people.
His vice presidential candidate, Victoria Villarruel, also It was dissected by Le Figaro. “Victoria Villarruel has made numerous statements to rehabilitate the regime of generals who governed the country from 1976 to 1983. She wants to eliminate the museum dedicated to the horrors of this regime installed in the Esma (High School of the Argentine Navy), in the center of Buenos Aires. It was one of the main torture centers of the time,” reports Le Figaro.
It is Le Figaro that highlights Milei’s opinion on the mafia. “Between the mafia and the State, I prefer the mafia. The mafia has codes, it keeps its commitments, it doesn’t lie, it is competitive. In another statement, this time very vulgar, the former economist of the Aeropuerto 2000 company compared the State to a “pedophile,” details the magazine Le Grand Continent. “The State is a pedophile in a nursery, with children chained and smeared with Vaseline,” reproduced Le Figaro.
The vision of Sky News
Sky News, the British television channel, did not spare descriptions in its biography of the president-elect.
“The 53-year-old right-wing populist, also known as an Al Capone fan, obtained 56% of the votes to complete a path that began in 2020, when he entered politics and promised to blow up the system,” Sky News said. .
“In a context of inflation close to 150%, increasing poverty and a falling currency, Milei and her Libertad Avanza coalition saw their support grow until it became a serious political contender”. Sky said.
“This was despite harshly criticizing the Argentine-born Pope Francis, calling him an “imbecile,” mocking the late national soccer icon Diego Maradona and even praising former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, little loved in Argentina for her role. in the Falklands War of 1982. His expletive-filled tirades have targeted his political rivals, contributing to his rise in popularity,” Sky continued. .
“But despite generating enthusiasm among voters, many commentators believe that Milei It is a risky bet given the high inflation, the increase in state debts and an imminent recession,” warns Sky News. .
Milei, according to The Guardian
The Guardian, a center-left British newspaper, reports that “Javier Milei, a volatile far-right libertarian, who has promised to “exterminate” inflation and use a chainsaw against the State, has been elected president of Argentina, catapulting it to the second largest economy. largest in South America towards an unpredictable and potentially turbulent future.”
“Milei promised “drastic changes” to address Argentina’s “tragic reality” of skyrocketing inflation and widespread poverty. She also sent a message to the international community: “Argentina will return to the place in the world it should never have lost,” wrote The Guardian.
For the BBC
The BBC highlighted “the political change in Argentina and its uncertain future.”
“Many presidents before him tried, without success, to improve the situation, so There was nothing to lose by promising something very different.“correspondent Katy Watson wrote in her analysis.
“The challenge will be how to get a country in crisis to move away from campaign promises and face reality trying to improve the situation of millions of Argentines, not worsen it” he continued.
“So, will Argentina see Mr. Milei who has promised to destroy the central bank, cut public spending and introduce the US dollar as the official currency? Or will there be a toned down version of Milei waiting in the wings?” asks the BBC.