Argentine President Javier Milei took to the stage Monday night time in Buenos Aires for a guide launch-turned-rock live performance, a transfer that delighted his followers however drew criticism from opposition members who accused him of being out of contact with the nation’s financial issues.
Surrounded by a crowd of 15,000 that included political allies and younger supporters, Milei swapped his trademark chainsaw for a microphone as he sought to energise his base forward of the October 26 legislative elections and put behind him an argument surrounding the resignation of certainly one of the ruling party’s big-name candidates.
José Luis Espert was working for a seat in Argentina’s decrease home of Congress representing Buenos Aires province, a key area for the ruling “La Libertad Avanza” (Freedom Advances) party. He stepped down on Sunday amid allegations that he obtained a fee from a drug-trafficker, however has denied any wrongdoing.
Milei made no specific point out of the controversy whereas on stage, however he did bodily embrace Diego Santilli, who has stepped in to exchange Espert on the marketing campaign path.
What was billed as the launch of Milei’s newest guide, “The Construction of the Miracle,” morphed right into a musical spectacle broadcast reside on state TV that included members of Milei’s ruling coalition performing 9 rock covers.
Milei, a far-right libertarian, carried out songs like Charly García’s “Demoliendo Hoteles” and Nino Bravo’s “Libre,” tracks related with resistance towards oppression, referencing the final army dictatorship in Argentina and the Franco dictatorship in Spain.
The spectacle drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders, who accused the president of being out of contact with Argentina’s mounting financial hardships.
Argentina, which is going through inflation and has in latest weeks skilled foreign money volatility, has been struggling to build up greenback reserves vital to satisfy upcoming debt funds
The fragility of the nation’s financial system lately prompted the Trump administration to announce a brand new monetary help bundle and Milei is about to satisfy US President Donald Trump, whom he has usually praised, in Washington on October 14 to debate the plan.
Buenos Aires governor Axel Kicillof accused Milei of “living in another reality.”
“Perhaps during his time as a candidate, Milei could do these things, but now I find it very serious … They should be taking responsibility and dealing with what’s happening to business owners,” he informed the Argentine tv station C5N.
Others have been harsher. “Come back to planet Earth, president,” Ricardo López Murphy, a member of the chamber of deputies for the United Republicans, wrote on X. “Our country needs you here. These images give a mix of secondhand embarrassment, anger, and pain.”
Former financial system minister Martín Lousteau posted, “One day of work lost, and the only Argentine miracle is performed by the millions of families who work magic just to make it to the end of the month.”
The president, whose party suffered a big electoral defeat in Buenos Aires in September, rallied his supporters and took intention at the opposition: “You may have won one round, but you haven’t won the battle yet, much less the war.”
Milei closed the night time by shedding his leather-based jacket for a swimsuit and tie, promising sweeping “structural reforms” after December 10 if his party can broaden its energy in Congress.
The ruling party hopes to win seats in the October 26 elections to push ahead its financial plans with out requiring votes from allies.