Argentina’s Milei meets German officials during controversial Europe tour

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Argentina’s self-proclaimed anarcho-capitalist President Javier Milei met with German officials Sunday in Berlin, part of his ongoing tour of Europe that has been met with both celebration and outrage.

In a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday, the two leaders discussed Argentina’s radical economic changes and the “importance of having critical minerals” – likely Argentina’s issue. vast reserves of lithium used in the global energy transition — wrote Manuel Adroni, spokesperson for Milei, in a press release on Sunday.

“The meeting between President Milei and Chancellor Scholz and their teams showed two leaders with a convergent vision, with the same principles and values ​​in international politics and focused on solving key geopolitical challenges for the West,” Adroni wrote .

The German government said in a brief statement on Sunday that leaders had spoken about the impact Milei’s drastic economic cuts could have on Argentines and said Scholz had reminded Milei of the importance of maintaining “social cohesion” while the leader was trying to control Argentina’s high inflation.

Also on the agenda were their continued support for Ukraine and Israel, a trade deal between the European Union and countries in the Latin American trade bloc Mercosur, and concerns about democracy in the upcoming elections Venezuelans, according to the Argentine government.

The policies and style of center-left leader Scholz contrast sharply with those of Argentina’s president.

Milei, a right-wing figure known for his unfiltered way of speaking, was elected last year on a promise to fix Argentina’s ailing economy and “make Argentina great again.”

His austerity measures have fueled waves of mass protests in the South American country, with demonstrators saying budget cuts have put the poor at even greater risk and to have public universities in danger. Milei also drew the ire of human rights activists after calling abortion “murder” and castigating the country’s feminist movement as a “cult of a gender ideology.”

Scholz’s spokesman, Steffen Hebestreit, said Friday that it would be a “very short working visit, expressly at the request of the Argentine president” and that there had been a “clear refusal” to Milei to hold a press conference. A salute with military honors and a joint press conference initially announced by the German government were subsequently canceled.

The meeting took place after Milei accepted an award from the neoliberal Augusto von Hayek Foundation in the German port city of Hamburg on Saturday for “liberating the population from chains” and restoring “hope.” In a speech when receiving the award, Milei said he was beating the “socialists” with “the biggest fiscal adjustment in Argentina’s history.” He was greeted with chants of “freedom!” ” in Spanish.

Meanwhile, small protests took place outside the awards ceremony and the meeting between Milei and Scholz, with demonstrators holding signs reading “Down with Milei, down with the far-right government” and “The Argentina is not for sale” in Spanish and German.

The award and protests underscored Milei’s reputation as a globally polarizing figure, fueling the adoration of some and the hatred of others.

The trip to Germany comes after a controversial trip to Spainwhere Milei did not plan to meet senior government officials, amid a diplomatic crisis engulfing long-time allies.

Instead, Milei met with Madrid’s powerful right-wing regional president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, who is an outspoken opponent of Spain’s center-left Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Milei was greeted by enthusiastic crowds in parts of Madrid.

Milei generated a number of diplomatic quarrels with his outspoken style and controversial views since becoming president last December. On Monday, he is expected in the Czech Republic, where he will meet Czech leaders.

——

Associated Press reporter Isabel DeBre contributed to this report from Buenos Aires, Argentina.