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.
Read also:
- Despite the controversy surrounding Argentine President Javier Milei's visit to Germany, the Federal Government remains open to engaging with various leaders worldwide.
- In preparation for his Berlin meeting with Olaf Scholz, Milei will first travel to Hamburg to receive the Hayek Medal from the Hayek Society.
- The short duration of Milei's visit to the Federal Chancellery in Germany is in accordance with his own request and will primarily focus on economic political issues.
- Gregor Gysi, a former leader of the Left faction, urged Chancellor Scholz to press Milei during his visit to promote civil rights in Argentina.
- Madrid found it inappropriate that Milei did not request a meeting with Spanish socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez during his recent visit to Spain.
- Javier Milei's visit to Germany has stirred up controversy not only in Berlin but also at his previous stop in Madrid, where he caused disagreements among Spanish political circles.
- Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles referred to Milei's behavior towards Prime Minister Sánchez as "disrespectful," leading to the Spanish royal house rejecting his meeting request with King Felipe VI.
- Before his visit to Germany, Milei implemented a "shock therapy" in Argentina to combat inflation, which includes devaluing the peso and reducing state subsidies, sparking widespread protests.
- In his mid-May visit to Spain, Milei referred to Prime Minister Sánchez's wife as "corrupt," leading to an unheard-of diplomatic incident and the recall of Spain's ambassador from Buenos Aires.
- Steffen Hebestreit, a spokesperson for the Federal Chancellery, emphasized that one cannot choose who to engage with in global politics, despite controversial figures like Argentine President Javier Milei.
