Argentina’s unconventional “anarcho-capitalist” president, Javier Milei, is set to address the global elite at Davos on Wednesday.
This marks his inaugural international trip since assuming the presidency, aiming to instill confidence in Argentina’s economy through bold reforms following his surprising election win. The 53-year-old leader, often likened to Donald Trump, previewed his speech on a commercial flight, emphasizing the need to plant “seeds of freedom” in a forum he believes is influenced by the socialist agenda 2030.
Milei asserts that freedom is the cornerstone of prosperity, a stance that may diverge from prevalent views at the World Economic Forum, especially regarding climate change, which he attributes differently.
Despite his unorthodox approach, the ultra-liberal economist, Javier Milei, revealed that he faces an overwhelming demand for face-to-face meetings at Davos, receiving over 60 requests. Acknowledging the physical constraints of such demand, he expressed his inability to meet them all.
However, he has prioritized a meeting with Kristalina Georgieva, the Chief of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Argentina, grappling with a $44 billion debt to the IMF, has seen some approval from the organization for Milei’s decision to remove price controls on certain goods implemented by the previous government.
In his scheduled meeting with International Monetary Fund Chief Kristalina Georgieva, Javier Milei aims to reinforce his commitment to a change in direction for Argentina. Georgieva acknowledged the Argentine government’s progress, describing their efforts as “very aggressive” in addressing the country’s challenges.
As an unconventional candidate, Milei, known for his rock star appearance, capitalized on public discontent with years of economic decline to secure victory in the December election.
Under his administration, marked by the slogan “there’s no money,” Milei has implemented significant measures, including substantial spending cuts, a peso devaluation of over 50%, reduction of state subsidies, and halving the number of ministries, as Argentina contends with inflation exceeding 200% in the previous year.
Javier Milei, Argentina’s “anarcho-capitalist” leader, plans to use his appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos to build trust within the international economic establishment. Despite being seen as a figure lacking trustworthiness, Milei seeks to present himself as someone reliable, aiming to demonstrate that his economic program is conducive to global investments. The self-styled libertarian, known for his drastic reforms in response to Argentina’s economic challenges, aims to convince the global elite of his country’s economic potential.
Alejandro Frankel, a professor of international politics at the San Martin National University in Argentina, noted that Javier Milei aims to establish trust within the international economic establishment during his Davos appearance.
Describing Milei, Frankel stated to AFP, “He’s not a figure that inspires trust. He is trying to show himself as someone who can be trusted and present his economic program as friendly to global investments.”
