Javier Milei arrived in Madrid for another private visit, paid for by the bankrupt Argentine taxpayer. The anarcholiberal once again had a feast for his admirers, as he did a few weeks ago with his great friend Santiago Abascal. Last Friday, Isabel Díaz Ayuso honored him in style, looking at him like a teenage bride, enthralled as she heard him promise to forever end the economic obligations of the modern state. Ayuso, who twice called Milei 'president' in masculine terms, knew perfectly what the Argentinian was going to say because he always said the same thing, but for her that was no problem.
Díaz Ayuso enthusiastically praised the measures taken so far by her guest, to whom she had awarded the Community Medal. The president has created her own foreign policy with awards for foreign visitors, even breaking the law promoted by the Rajoy government to hinder the Generalitat's foreign action. The law requires regional presidents to coordinate any decision of this type with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ayuso made it a point to do so. The decree awarding the medal refers to foreign guests making an “official visit to the region,” which in this case was false.
In May, Milei camouflaged the private trip by presenting a book featuring a meeting with Spanish businessmen at the embassy. This time he wanted to repeat the step with a meeting with Felipe VI, but the government of Pedro Sánchez did not allow this.
In his exaggerated praise, Ayuso decreed that Milei has already triumphed and everyone knows it. He was happy that the visit took place “at a time when the Argentine nation is once again on the rise and is being talked about everywhere.” Through a brutal austerity program, his government has managed to reduce inflation to 3.5% per month. The price has been the collapse of consumption and industrial production and the increase in poverty, with predictable consequences. Everything perfect, for Ayuso.
Milei reiterated how much she hates the concept of social justice. “Socialists believe in a terrible, impoverishing monster called social justice, a truly deviant idea,” he said. He considers it 'unjust and very violent'. He explains the latter by saying that what he is doing “violates equality before the law, because it takes from some and gives to others.” This means that taxes are collected and thus finance health care, education or pensions from which everyone benefits. That's what Milei considers an anomaly.
Therefore, taxes are a theft committed by the state abusing its power. “Taxes are not paid voluntarily. They are paid at gunpoint.”
It is unlikely that the Popular Party will run a campaign with that message in Spain. Díaz Ayuso has criticized social justice in the Madrid Assembly in terms not unlike those of Milei. Of course, in the election campaign he promises investments in health care and education that will be paid for with public funds. Not even Vox dares to make this murderous speech against the state.
This time, Milei did not directly insult Sánchez. He did it again this week in an interview in his country. In Madrid he allowed himself two mentions that were only slightly offensive. When referring to Argentina's widespread corruption across all governments, he spoke of “the porous hands of politicians.” And there he put what Ayuso was waiting for. “Maybe not directly from the politician, maybe it is from a brother, from the partner or whatever.” Since being subtle is not his thing, he continued, “And whoever wants to understand, let him understand.”
Ayuso didn't lose her smile. She was sure she was not talking about her brother or her boyfriend, who was responsible for a tax fraud of 300,000 euros.
Milei repeated messages that distanced him from the European right and, in fact, from the economic policies of any developed country. He insisted that he will send to Congress, where he does not have a majority, a law that would make the issuance of money illegal and “a crime against humanity.” It is based on the idea that “the only cause of inflation is the issuance of money.” It is not a concept that can be found in the analyzes of the OECD or the European Central Bank.
Based on his theories, all the problems of an economy that has gone through several periods of hyperinflation to levels unheard of in a country that was not at war will be solved. “We are going to put an end to inflation in Argentina once and for all,” he announced. In his capacity as prophet, Milei claims that any ruler who allows the issuance of pesos will go to prison. He must think that the laws passed during his mandate can never be changed in the future, a delusion that is not possible in a country where democratic elections are held.
Outside, two hundred Argentinians, supporters and opponents of Milei, gathered in front of the headquarters of the Madrid government. This allowed them both to go to the main balcony of the building so that the Argentine president could have his Evita Perón moment. He then headed to the Madrid casino, where the Juan de Mariana Institute – an ultra-liberal think tank – would award him another award.
Milei is obsessed with being an international figure, but in reality he has only received support from those who already think like him. On Saturday he will travel to Germany and the Czech Republic, also to receive other prizes. In Germany the visit was official, but was shortened in recent days. There will be a meeting of the two delegations from each country, with Milei and Scholz. What will not take place is the meeting between the two and the joint press conference.
Scholz does not have the courage to listen to Milei's message live, taking into account his attacks on Sánchez and the Spanish government. Díaz Ayuso, on the other hand, couldn't be more pleased. Everything that sets her apart from Alberto Núñez Feijóo is an investment for the future. Anything that has to do with supporting a character hated by the left leads to Santa Teresian ecstasy.