Javier Milei elected President of Argentina

[NoServiceCynic]

Argentina has just voted in a rather interesting chap.

Argentina elects right-wing populist Javier Milei as president

Javier Milei, a self-described anarcho-capitalist who has been compared to former US president Donald Trump, promised to deal with soaring inflation and rising poverty.

news.sky.com

His Wikipedia article is full of some gems too:

Milei indicated in an October 2017 interview with La Nación that he champions free love.[263] On a local television program in June 2020, he disclosed his involvement in several threesomes and his role as a neotantra instructor, describing himself as a tantric sex instructor,[264] claiming to be "capable of remaining three months without ejaculating".[265] In August 2023, The Daily Telegraph characterized him as a "rock singer and tantric sex instructor",[130] while The Guardian referred to him as a "former tantric sex coach".

Interestingly he seems keen to distance himself from BRICS whilst seeking closer alignment with the US, and he counts... erh... Thatcher as one of his biggest inspirations:

Milei has expressed praise for former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and cited her economic policies as an influence, a stance which caused controversy with Falklands War veterans in Argentina due to her association with the sinking of the General Belgrano. When challenged about his views on Thatcher by his 2023 Argentine general election opponent Sergio Massa during a televised debate, Milei referred to Thatcher as one of "the great leaders in the history of humanity" due to her role in the Fall of the Berlin Wall and opposing communism in Europe.

He seems a bit of a wildcard to say the least. I wonder whether we're due any more sabre-rattling over The Falklands? He's stated that their claim is non-negotiable on the islands, but also that the wishes of the Islanders must be respected... which does seem to give him a rather diplomatic way of talking big internally whilst acknowledging the reality of the situation externally. (His VP - Victoria Villarruel - seems to be a rather more depressing voice though.)

 

[Maalox]

Xavier is definitely in to histrionics! And the first place he's visiting is Israel!

 

[baboon6]

Pretty good video about him

 

[armchair_jihad]

It is an immense development for South America and possibly will have far wider ramifications if his savage reforms prove effective, which I think they will.

 

[harrythebastard]

Nice syrup.

 

[medwaymud]

Get the beers and popcorn ready.....
This is going to be interesting to keep an eye on.

 

[armchair_jihad]

This is really good, especially the last half, I know the abortion bit will lose a lot of people but stick with it.

Done in September

 

[Ravers]

This is really good, especially the last half, I know the abortion bit will lose a lot of people but stick with it.

Done in September

I watched that earlier. Comes across surprisingly well, apart from the religious stuff and abortion thing, which he seems to keep referring back to even when it doesn’t really have anything to do with the question.

Everything else seems pretty sensible, which of course means the media will brand him as a “right wing fanatic and lunatic.”

Interesting how they‘re already emphasising the more colourful aspects of his life and past, but making absolutely no mention of his successful career as a respected economist and university professor.

 

[dingerr]

As long as “las malvinas” doesn’t become one of his doggy advisor’s chew toy, it will be interesting to see how he gets on.

 

[Durandal1]

If all his monetary plans come to naught my money is on this mentalist having another crack at the Falklands...

Fiery Right-Wing Populist Javier Milei Wins Argentina's Presidency and Promises 'Drastic' Changes

With a Milei victory, the country will swing to the right and empower a freshman lawmaker who got his start as a television talking head blasting what he called the "political caste."

www.voanews.com

 

[Scunner]

This is really good, especially the last half, I know the abortion bit will lose a lot of people but stick with it.

Done in September

OK, call me a little drunk, I'm 6'2"... but WTF is going on with the view through the windows?

 

[J.A.S. Backpack]

Get the beers and popcorn ready.....
This is going to be interesting to keep an eye on.

He certainly looks like he'll be providing some entertainment.

I wonder how he wil come across on the world stage, I get the impression he'll upset quite a few people.

 

[Maalox]

Boris was a clever clown, but he only used the 'f' word once in Parliament.

Would the UK tolerate an English Javier using endless profanities, or is it actionably illegal to swear in public?

 

[ugly]

He looks too much like Fred West for me!

 

[banshee3]

I watched that earlier. Comes across surprisingly well, apart from the religious stuff and abortion thing, which he seems to keep referring back to even when it doesn’t really have anything to do with the question.

Everything else seems pretty sensible, which of course means the media will brand him as a “right wing fanatic and lunatic.”

Interesting how they‘re already emphasising the more colourful aspects of his life and past, but making absolutely no mention of his successful career as a respected economist and university professor.

There's no point in watching anyone being interviewed by Tucker "people know I lie" Carlson, it will just be a hagiographic monologue with cues.