Last night, Argentinian president, Javier Milei, was the guest of honour to the city of Madrid. The reason for his visit was to receive the Juan de Mariana Institute award. This award, given for his exemplary defense of the ideas of freedom, was presented during the institute’s “Freedom Dinner”—part of their “Week of Freedom” celebrations. The ceremony took place at the Casino de Madrid and honored Milei for his significant contributions to spreading libertarian principles in Argentina and internationally.
However, friends and allies across the Spanish political centre-right also took advantage of Milei’s visit to Madrid. Isabel Díaz Ayuso, president of the region of Madrid never lets the visit of a foe of Prime Minister of Pedro Sánchez go to waste, so the Thatcher-like politician that has made Madrid a free market haven also awarded Milei the International Medal of Madrid. Just as she did during the pandemic, Ayuso’s master move has once more projected her as the real opposition to Sánchez; a fight that Sánchez picked when the COVID pandemic struck. It backfired then for him and it has also backfired now.
Right after Milei’s address at the Puerta del Sol, he headed to the Real Casino of Madrid, where the Juan de Mariana Institute had prepared every detail to host a few hundred selected guests, associates, and benefactors to celebrate him. If Ayuso (Partido Popular) had shined close to Milei earlier, it was now VOX’s turn to flex its muscles by showing the intimate relationship the party has with Milei. VOX’s MEP Hermann Tertsch and the party’s president, Santiago Abascal, greeted Milei as a dear friend. A well-deserved special relationship, as Abascal was the one who bet on the Argentinian when he was barely known and highly criticised.
During his visit to Madrid, Milei emphasized his commitment to reversing Argentina’s economic struggles, attributing these issues to decades of socialist policies. His acceptance speech at the Casino highlighted the importance of freedom and the role of entrepreneurship in societal progress. Surrounded by numerous classical liberal and libertarian scholars, Milei also pointed out the importance dismantling the state, quoting Hayek’s “socialists of all parties” and consecrating the right to life, freedom and property. He also spoke of the fiscal balance Argentina has managed to achieve and of the demographic challenge. And the guests cheered in delight to the first libertarian president, proponent of ideas so foreign to current political discourse that the mere fact that he is stating them (and acting on them) so unapologetically is seen as a miracle.
The Juan de Mariana Institute was surrounded yesterday by myriad friends and allies, including some past recipients of the Juan de Mariana award including Mario Vargas Llosa, Pedro Schwartz, and Jesús Huerta de Soto. Other individuals, such as Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo, and organizations who have made notable contributions to the cause of freedom did not miss the gathering either. Some examples last night at the casino were the Caracas-based CEDICE, the International Foundation for Freedom chaired by Vargas Llosa, Centro Diego de Covarrubias, and the recently founded network of Iberian scholars Escuela Ibérica.
All in attendance were clearly proud of Milei’s feat, applauded his speech, and celebrated this occasion. And they did so despite the differences they may have, either at the level of ideas, operationally, or otherwise. Milei is an ally to all of them. He is not, contrary to what some say, ignorant about different ideas held by those around him or the problems they face. He knows VOX is not that interested in free markets, just like he knows PP is not that concerned about the culture war. But that does not prevent him from seeking common ground to face a shared enemy: the radical Left. In Argentina, in Spain, and everywhere.
I would argue that we need more of his kind: leaders who can bridge the gap between conservatives and libertarians, between populists and free marketeers. He is leading the charge for us all, and he also needs the support of all who cherish their freedoms—both in civil society, but also from the political realm. Civil society celebrated him as one voice last night—but politicians still talk to him in separate rooms, and they resist sharing his friendship with others. There is still some work to be done on that front, but progress is being made. Despite in-fighting. Despite nude protestors yesterday at the entrance of the Casino. Despite the Spanish prime minister (a “zurdo” in Milei’s terms) opposing Milei’s visit.
Milei is showing everyone the way forward. We might like his style or not, but he is the best thing we have got. Let us join his team.
Milei Shows Spaniards the Way Forward
Photo courtesy of the author.
Last night, Argentinian president, Javier Milei, was the guest of honour to the city of Madrid. The reason for his visit was to receive the Juan de Mariana Institute award. This award, given for his exemplary defense of the ideas of freedom, was presented during the institute’s “Freedom Dinner”—part of their “Week of Freedom” celebrations. The ceremony took place at the Casino de Madrid and honored Milei for his significant contributions to spreading libertarian principles in Argentina and internationally.
However, friends and allies across the Spanish political centre-right also took advantage of Milei’s visit to Madrid. Isabel Díaz Ayuso, president of the region of Madrid never lets the visit of a foe of Prime Minister of Pedro Sánchez go to waste, so the Thatcher-like politician that has made Madrid a free market haven also awarded Milei the International Medal of Madrid. Just as she did during the pandemic, Ayuso’s master move has once more projected her as the real opposition to Sánchez; a fight that Sánchez picked when the COVID pandemic struck. It backfired then for him and it has also backfired now.
Right after Milei’s address at the Puerta del Sol, he headed to the Real Casino of Madrid, where the Juan de Mariana Institute had prepared every detail to host a few hundred selected guests, associates, and benefactors to celebrate him. If Ayuso (Partido Popular) had shined close to Milei earlier, it was now VOX’s turn to flex its muscles by showing the intimate relationship the party has with Milei. VOX’s MEP Hermann Tertsch and the party’s president, Santiago Abascal, greeted Milei as a dear friend. A well-deserved special relationship, as Abascal was the one who bet on the Argentinian when he was barely known and highly criticised.
During his visit to Madrid, Milei emphasized his commitment to reversing Argentina’s economic struggles, attributing these issues to decades of socialist policies. His acceptance speech at the Casino highlighted the importance of freedom and the role of entrepreneurship in societal progress. Surrounded by numerous classical liberal and libertarian scholars, Milei also pointed out the importance dismantling the state, quoting Hayek’s “socialists of all parties” and consecrating the right to life, freedom and property. He also spoke of the fiscal balance Argentina has managed to achieve and of the demographic challenge. And the guests cheered in delight to the first libertarian president, proponent of ideas so foreign to current political discourse that the mere fact that he is stating them (and acting on them) so unapologetically is seen as a miracle.
The Juan de Mariana Institute was surrounded yesterday by myriad friends and allies, including some past recipients of the Juan de Mariana award including Mario Vargas Llosa, Pedro Schwartz, and Jesús Huerta de Soto. Other individuals, such as Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo, and organizations who have made notable contributions to the cause of freedom did not miss the gathering either. Some examples last night at the casino were the Caracas-based CEDICE, the International Foundation for Freedom chaired by Vargas Llosa, Centro Diego de Covarrubias, and the recently founded network of Iberian scholars Escuela Ibérica.
All in attendance were clearly proud of Milei’s feat, applauded his speech, and celebrated this occasion. And they did so despite the differences they may have, either at the level of ideas, operationally, or otherwise. Milei is an ally to all of them. He is not, contrary to what some say, ignorant about different ideas held by those around him or the problems they face. He knows VOX is not that interested in free markets, just like he knows PP is not that concerned about the culture war. But that does not prevent him from seeking common ground to face a shared enemy: the radical Left. In Argentina, in Spain, and everywhere.
I would argue that we need more of his kind: leaders who can bridge the gap between conservatives and libertarians, between populists and free marketeers. He is leading the charge for us all, and he also needs the support of all who cherish their freedoms—both in civil society, but also from the political realm. Civil society celebrated him as one voice last night—but politicians still talk to him in separate rooms, and they resist sharing his friendship with others. There is still some work to be done on that front, but progress is being made. Despite in-fighting. Despite nude protestors yesterday at the entrance of the Casino. Despite the Spanish prime minister (a “zurdo” in Milei’s terms) opposing Milei’s visit.
Milei is showing everyone the way forward. We might like his style or not, but he is the best thing we have got. Let us join his team.
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