Javier Milei takes oath as president of Argentina: “New era for our country, but first it will get worse” | Abroad

The 53-year-old Milei was elected in November as a political newcomer with 56 percent of the votes. For his swearing-in ceremony, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Spanish King Felipe, Hungarian leader Viktor Orban, Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou and Paraguayan President Santiago Peña, among others, descended on the Argentine capital Buenos Aires.

In his first speech as president, Alberto Fernández’s successor promised a new era for Argentina, which is in a deep economic crisis. Inflation is more than 140 percent and about 40 percent of the population lives below the poverty line. But before things get better, things will first get worse, Milei emphasized. “There is no money,” he said. That is why there is no other choice than “a shock”, it was said.

The new president promised that he will “make whatever decisions are necessary to solve the problem caused by a hundred years of waste by the political class.” He also talked about “the worst legacy” a government ever received.

Milei, who is also called “the Argentine Trump”, previously said that he wants to introduce the US dollar as legal tender and abolish the Argentine Central Bank, as well as many ministries and public services. The 53-year-old Argentinian is against abortion and also wants to make it easier to purchase firearms. During his campaign, he raised eyebrows when he showed up at rallies with a chainsaw to push his plans for state budget cuts.