Milei: Argentina will choose between a hard left or social democracy 2:10

(CNN Spanish) -- Javier Milei came to Argentine politics and broke the schemes. The economist – as he defines himself – "libertarian liberal" achieved what others did not achieve: sneak between the hitherto dominant spaces, the Peronism of the Frente de Todos and the space of former President Mauricio Macri, Together for Change. Some polls place him as a competitive candidate who could reach a runoff in the upcoming presidential elections in October.

To understand the recent phenomenon of Argentine politics, we must refer to the origin. Milei cultivated his popularity by rotating on television sets as an economic commentator. With his vehement and provocative style, he quickly became an undisputed character of local prime time, and some eccentric traits of his personality ended up propelling him to television stardom.

Some examples of the lifestyle he made public: he lives with five English mastiff dogs weighing around 100 kilos each, which he says are his family and four of them have names of economists he admires: Milton (Friedman), Murray (Rothbard), Robert and Lucas (both by the American Nobel Robert Lucas). He said that, if he assumes the presidency, his sister Karina could become first lady. He recounted unconventional practices of his intimacy: "I am a professor of tantric sex."

His irruption in politics

During his appearances on the screen, he began to flirt with the idea of starting in public management, and in August 2020 he made the big leap: he launched his presidential candidacy for 2023. He was the first to do so.

In 2021 he finalized the landing in public office. La Libertad Avanza, his party, won two seats in the Chamber of Deputies. One is occupied by him, the other by his pre-candidate for vice president, Victoria Villarruel.

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Javier Milei said he was going to confirm his ballot formula on June 24, but he went ahead of himself. Thus, he became the first presidential candidate in Argentina to announce its potential vice president for the 2023 elections: lawyer Victoria Villarruel, who is also part of the same bloc as the economist in Congress.

His calling card is to be the candidate of what he calls "anti-caste politics", a reference to what, according to him, would be the traditional politicians, privileged of the current situation, who do not want change. His motto: "I did not come to lead lambs, I came to awaken lions."

While the other political parties settle their internal issues, Milei installs issues in the public debate. The dollarization of the currency and closing – "dynamiting", in his words – the Central Bank are two of the measures he repeats like a mantra. Weeks ago, he announced the incorporation of two economic advisers to his party: Roque Fernández and Carlos Rodríguez, both senior officials of the presidency of Carlos Menem (1989-1999). After the welcome, Rodriguez contradicted Milei in local media by declaring that "dollarizing the economy in December or next year is impossible." He also clarified that the elimination of the main banking entity "is just a campaign slogan."

In an interview with our colleague Andrés Oppenheimer, he said that his second-generation reforms include the deregulation of the economy and the disarmament of social programs with the perspective that all this will take him about 15 years of government.

More controversial ideas

And the deputy of La Libertad Avanza does not stop generating controversy. He spoke in favour of the free sale of firearms and human organs. "Why does everything have to be regulated by the state? My first property is my body," he said. Then, the National Central Institute for the Coordination of Ablation and Implantation (INCUCAI) repudiated his statements and recalled that the trade in organs is prohibited by law.

As for the law of voluntary interruption of pregnancy, he is a clear opponent: "We are characterized by the defense of the right to life, property and liberty," he said in a recent interview.

Argentine elections