Anarcho-capitalist Milei Demonstrates Self-Control in Hamburg
Argentine Head of State Milei Takes a Trip to Germany, Gets Honored by Controversial Hayek Society Prior to Meeting Scholz. In Dublin, the Anarchocapitalist Abstains from Bitter Remarks.
The maverick keeps mum: Kicking off his trip to Germany, ultra-liberal Argentine President Javier Milei was bestowed a medal in Hamburg by the Friedrich August von Hayek Society. Known for his fiery and bold public discourse, Milei avoided making any remarks about Germany in his speech and instead shared his political views from his personal perspective.
His approximately 200 spectators in Hamburg - which included Beatrix von Storch, an AfD member of the German Bundestag, and Hans-Georg Maassen, the chairman of the right-conservative Values Union - applauded Milei enthusiastically. Multiple times, they chanted "Libertad" (Freedom). On Sunday, the Argentine president, self-proclaimed "Anarchocapitalist," will be welcomed by Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Berlin Chancellery.
The Hayek Society recognized Milei's program, which aims to transform Argentina along the lines of Hayek, an Austrian trailblazer of neoliberalism. "They bring capitalism out of hiding," said the chairman of the organization, Stefan Kooths, during his laudatory speech. He compared Milei's politics to chemotherapy. "The side effects are numerous," said the Kiel business economist. Without such treatment, Argentina would cease to exist.
Critics claim the Hayek Society fails to differentiate itself from right-wing populist movements. The organization, for instance, awarded its Network Prize in 2023 to the Swiss web radio Kontrafunk and in 2022 to the blog "Achse des Guten" - both media are a part of the political right. Independently of the Hayek Society, the Friedrich-August-von-Hayek Foundation, founded in 1999 at the initiative of then Federal President Roman Herzog, distanced itself from the Hayek Society on Friday.
Protests Erupt in Hamburg Against Milei
Before the event site, several hundred people took to the streets under the banner "No to Milei in Hamburg." In the protest call, it was noted that Milei's administration privatizes state-owned companies like the oil company YPF and the airline Aerolineas Argentinas. He cuts funding in the education sector, makes it easy for employers to dismiss workers, and restricts freedom of assembly. Among the demonstrators were numerous Latin Americans.
The second largest economy in South America is in an economic downturn and grapples with an expansive bureaucracy, low industrial productivity, and a vast underground economy that denies the government significant tax revenues. The ultraliberal president aims to revive Argentina with a dramatic spending plan.
Milei pointed to initial victories in his speech. For the first time in a while, the Argentine state budget is balanced, and inflation is significantly decreasing. The figures are striking, but the progress comes at a price for the people in his country, as the president admitted. "However, we have always told them that when we implement the reforms, good results will follow."
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts a 2.8 percent contraction in economic output this year. According to the Catholic University of Argentina, approximately 56 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, and around 18 percent reside in extreme poverty.
In his speech, the President explained his ideological evolution as a follower of the so-called Austrian School, which includes Hayek (1899-1992) and Ludwig von Mises (1881-1973). Through the teachings of the American economist Murray Rothbard (1926-1995), he became an "Anarcho-capitalist." He linked his rise to political success to his bravery in presenting liberal economic ideas as the lone voice on media and television talk shows. "I was the only combatant." Milei won in the second round of elections in November of the previous year with over 55 percent of the votes.
During the Corona pandemic, when the measures particularly affected the people of his country, young people took an interest in his ideas, Milei said. He published books in videos and made his academic contributions as engaging as a Rolling Stones concert. He mentioned his younger sister Karina Milei twice approvingly in his speech, who acts as his Chief of Staff and accompanied him. She is often perceived as the puppet master in the Buenos Aires government - Milei refers to her as "El Jefe" (Boss).
Read also:
After the successful recognition at the Hamburg award ceremony, Javier Milei plans to visit Argentina's neighbor, Germany, for a meeting with Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Although hailing from Argentina, Milei will also attend an award ceremony in Hamburg, honored by the controversial Hayek Society.
Despite the widespread protests against hist policies in Hamburg, Argentine President Javier Milei will continue his European tour, where he has previously been celebrated at an award ceremony in Hamburg, Germany.
