In the past, Argentina was characterized by having a thriving middle class, where progress and social advancement were a certain possibility and a place of opportunity. Argentina along with the United States were the countries that opened their borders the most to immigrants. Its high salaries, favorable business climate and the existence of extensive natural resources positioned Argentina among the most promising nations of the last century.
However, the influence of European nationalisms at the beginning of the 20th century and a society frightened by so much diversity and cosmopolitanism gave rise to the appearance of contrasts and repressed hatreds.
This determined a breakup of society into two antagonistic groups that continue to express their resentment to this day. The political movements that emerged around the middle of the century only deepened these contradictions and the reaction to them consolidated a space where a part of the population sees their peers as irreconcilable enemies.
This antagonism that in the past has been expressed with the Peronism-anti-Peronism fight is still present between Kirchnerism and anti-Kirchnerism. This hatred has fueled periods where political violence has caused much pain and violations of human rights.
In short, Argentina has been going through cycles for decades where disenchantment is preceded by periods where illusion is fed by magical thinking and frustration feeds intolerance and prevents the reconstruction of the country.
Argentina is a country of contrasts. In such contrasts, euphoria precedes disappointment. This determines a path, where frustration grows deeper every day. A year ago the streets of Argentina were filled with expressions of joy after winning the soccer world cup and today again the streets are taken over by political demonstrations and on the brink of a severe social crisis.
The return of democracy did not bring progress; on the contrary, the economy has deteriorated for decades. While in 1983 poverty reached 22% of the population, today, poverty reaches 50%.
Salary has deteriorated to levels rarely seen and in the world inflation ranking Argentina occupies 4th place with 118% annually. Only Venezuela, Lebanon and Zimbabwe are worse.
It is in this context of frustration and anger that the figure of Javier Milei.
Who is Javier Milei and what does he represent? ANDHe is a histrionic economist with psychotic characteristics (he talks to his dogs and they answer him) who achieved fame for his participation in television programs.
In any healthy society, a character like Milei could only stand out in the artistic field. In Argentina he is not only a candidate for President, but he could be chosen as the future winner. The October primary elections placed him as the candidate with the most Voting intentions.
Milei has even beaten the Peronist party. The most popular and most voted mass party in the political history of the last 70 years.
Javier Milei and his political space, called La Libertad Avanza (LLA) is a new alliance, but its ideas are not new.
Milei’s party (LLA) is nothing more than the Argentine version of the new right that has emerged in the world a little over a decade ago. Milei is the blurred version of Trump in the United States, of Vox in Spain, of Zemmour in France, of Meloni in Italy or of Bolsonaro in Brazil.
The emergence of far-right political movements with neo-fascist overtones that is devastating Europe and the United States has landed in Argentina and Milei is its representative.
It is a strange combination of pro-market ideas along with conservative positions that try to limit and suppress the civil rights of minorities (foreigners, immigrants, homosexuals, religious minorities and leftists).
The appearance of Javier Milei on the political scene is a wake-up call not only to Argentina. This is a danger sign for liberal democracies in Latin America and the possibility of political violence returning as in the past.
If he were to become president, he would do so without parliamentary majorities. He has stated that he would govern through plebiscites in open contravention of the Constitution.
Countries where democracies are weak, where the institutional framework is based on individuals and not on institutions, end up endorsing authoritarian regimes. The risk is that Argentina’s democratic system will be violated as in the past.
Political composition of La Libertad Avanza. The party (LLA) led by Javier Milei is organized as a far-right party where on the one hand a wing of pro-market economists and on the other Nationalists who do not hesitate to support the illegal actions of the last military dictatorship in Argentina converge.
In the economic field, former ministers of the previous government of Carlos Menem together with prebendary businessmen, owners of financial and economic monopolies, together with union members have shown their support. A group of them even tries to promote a dollarization of the economy without agreement from the United States or International Organizations.
In the political field, its Vice President, a woman named Victoria Villarruel, is a defender of the illegal acts committed by the last military dictatorship and represents the most extreme faction of the alliance. She, along with a group of Catholic and nationalist fanatics with extensive connections to the armed forces, would be the ones who would control the ministries of defense and security.
The mental stability of the candidate.Javier Gerardo Milei became famous for his fits of rage and histrionic behavior. Many analysts believe that this behavior is “acting”. The reality is much more complex and dangerous.
He himself has expressed that his imbalances were the product of a complex childhood plagued by violent acts on the part of his father. On repeated occasions he has stated that his actions are illuminated by providence and that his “mission” has been inspired by God.
This weakness is shared with his sister, Karina Milei, who works in his inner circle in defining political strategy. Karina is an astrologist, and she communicates with animals, her dogs, who are the ones who would give the political directives of the campaign.
This spiritual behavior of Milei is his weakness and has been used by both extreme Catholic right-wing groups and religious people linked to sectors of Judaism.
On many occasions Javier Milei has used biblical quotes in his electoral campaign.
*Mariano Fernandez is a professor of economics at the CEMA university. @CalixtoLiber. The views of the author do not necessarily represent the position of the University of CEMA.
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