Javier Milei

Javier Gerardo Milei (born 22 October 1970) is an Argentine politician and economist who has served as the president of Argentina since 2023. He previously served as a member of the Chamber of Deputies from 2021 to 2023.

Born in Buenos Aires, Milei attended the University of Belgrano, where he obtained a degree in economics, and undertook postgraduate coursework at the Instituto de Desarrollo Económico y Social, and at Torcuato di Tella University, though neither resulted in a completed degree. He rose to public prominence in the 2010s by appearing as a pundit on various television shows in which he was a vocal critic of the Argentine political establishment.

In the 2021 legislative election, Milei was elected to the Argentine Chamber of Deputies, representing the City of Buenos Aires for La Libertad Avanza. As a national deputy, he limited his legislative activities to voting, focusing instead on critiquing Argentina's political elite and its propensity for high government spending. Milei pledged not to raise taxes, and donated his national deputy salary through a monthly raffle. He defeated the incumbent economy minister, Sergio Massa, in the second round of the 2023 presidential election, on a platform that held the ideological dominance of Kirchnerism responsible for the ongoing Argentine monetary crisis.

Milei is known for his flamboyant personality, distinctive personal style, and strong media presence, including his catchphrase "¡Viva la libertad, carajo!". He has been described politically as a right-wing populist and libertarian who supports laissez-faire economics, aligning specifically with minarchist and anarcho-capitalist principles. He has proposed a comprehensive overhaul of the country's fiscal and structural policies. On social issues, he opposes abortion and euthanasia, and supports civilian ownership of firearms. He also supports "freedom of choice" on drug policy. On foreign policy, he promotes Atlanticism, advocating closer relations within the Western world, especially with both Israel and the United States (mainly under the Trump administration), while shifting Argentina away from BRICS.