Argentina's President Milei stirs up more controversy prior to his trip to Germany
About the situation surrounding the ultraright Argentine president, Milei, being welcomed in Berlin by the German government, Hebestreit explained: "In global politics, one can't pick and choose who to engage with." Milei's scheduled meeting with the German Chancellor in Berlin on Sunday is expected to focus on economic political issues, as stated by the Federal Chancellery.
Originally, Milei was planned to be greeted with military honors, and a press conference was scheduled post-meeting with Scholz. However, both events were ultimately called off, leading to rumors of tension between Buenos Aires and Berlin.
Hebestreit commented that the visit would be brief, lasting only an hour or so, as it was Milei's request. The cancellation of the press conference was also on Milei's insistence, Hebestreit added.
The self-proclaimed "Anarcho-Capitalist" Milei, notorious for sparking protests in Argentina with his rigid policies, will start his Germany trip in Hamburg on Saturday. Here, he will attend a conference by the economically liberal Hayek Society, where he is to be awarded the Hayek Medal. Apart from Milei, ex-head of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution Hans-Georg Maassen is expected to be present.
The award aims to honor the legacy of economist Friedrich August von Hayek, who passed away in 1992. Hayek is known as the intellectual forefather of the economic policies followed by statesmen and governments since the 1980s, such as US President Ronald Reagan and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher - a policy characterized by reduced social services, state investments, and tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy.
Since Milei's appointment in the previous year, he has implemented a "shock therapy" in Argentina to combat rampant inflation and stimulate the economy. This consists of devaluing the Argentine peso and drastically reducing state subsidies. His policies are met with widespread protests.
Before his Berlin visit, Milei travelled to Spain again on Friday and caused disagreements there too. Much like during his mid-May visit, there was no scheduled meeting with the Spanish socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Instead, a ceremony awarding an accolade by the conservative regional president of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, was planned.
Diplomatic circles in Madrid found it unusual and inappropriate that Milei had not requested a meeting with Sánchez. According to Spanish newspaper "El País," the Spanish royal house rejected Milei's request for a meeting with King Felipe VI. Defense Minister Margarita Robles referred to it as a "logical step," considering Milei's disrespectful behavior towards Prime Minister Sánchez.
During a Spain gathering of the far-right opposition party Vox in mid-May, Milei referred to Sánchez's wife Begona Gomez as "corrupt." This led to an unheard-of diplomatic incident, prompting the Spanish government to recall its ambassador from Buenos Aires.
In Germany, former leader of the Left faction Gregor Gysi urged Chancellor Scholz to pressure Milei during his visit to uphold civil rights in his country. Scholz was advised to exert influence on Milei during their conversation. "There should be no close collaboration between Germany and a president like Milei," Gysi stated on Friday.
Additionally, Gysi suggested that Milei should respect civil rights and democracy in Argentina, or else the planned free trade agreement between the EU and the South American Mercosur states - to which Argentina belongs - should not materialize.
