Argentina has a new president: the libertarian, chainsaw-wielding, anarcho-capitalist culture warrior Javier Milei, who took 56 per cent of the vote. It was an unexpected defeat for the current government’s economy minister Sergio Massa, who won a small majority in the first round of voting. Milei has promised to fix soaring inflation (running at 140 per cent in October) and widespread poverty in his country by ditching the Argentine peso for the dollar, getting rid of the central bank and gutting public spending. “I want you to understand that Argentina is in a critical situation,” Milei told his supporters after claiming victory. “The changes our country needs are drastic. There is no room for gradualism.” Side note: Milei also ran on a promise to rid the “political caste” from government and repeal abortion legalisation. He rejects the role humans have played in climate change. If it all feels a bit familiar, Donald Trump’s congratulations on Truth Social sealed the deal: “I am very proud of you. You will turn your country around and truly Make Argentina Great Again!”.
