Javier Milei vows to push through radical reforms in defiant speech to Argentina Congress

Javier Milei used his first address to Congress to warn lawmakers – Agustin Marcarian/REUTERS

Javier Milei, the president of Argentina, has pledged to push through his radical reform agenda with or without the support of the country’s Congress.

In a fiery speech to senators on Friday that lasted over an hour, Mr Milei said: “We won’t back down, we’re going to keep pushing forward. Whether that’s by law, presidential decree or by modifying regulations.”

The address came after the president’s controversial “omnibus” bill – which consists of 664 articles to modify tax laws and reduce labour protectors, among other changes – was rebuffed by opposition lawmakers last month, to chants of “there’s no law”. A growing number of senators are also threatening to vote down his decree introduced in December, which includes measures

to deregulate the economy and end price controls. In retaliation, Mr Milei used his first annual address to lawmakers to warn that he will fight those trying to resist his overhaul. If they oppose him, they will face a “different type of animal”, he warned.

“We are going to change the country for good … with or without the support of political leaders, with all the legal resources of the executive,” he added. “If you look for conflict, you will have conflict.”

Mr Milei’s Freedom Advances party, founded only two and a half years ago, lacks the seats to put the president’s plans into action without support.

But the libertarian leader has insisted that he has a mandate to introduce sweeping changes after winning 55.69 per cent of the vote in November, on promises to take a chainsaw to government spending.

A defiant Javier Milei said the past 20 years had been a disaster for Argentina

Argentina is battling its latest economic crisis, beset by enormous debt. The 53-year-old declared that the last 20 years had been a “disaster” for the country, and came after an “orgy of uncontrolled public spending”.

“If we don’t change the economic model from the very roots, then Argentina has no future,” Mr Milei said.

The president has already set his “shock therapy” plan in motion, halving the size of government, slashing energy and transport subsidies, and cutting tens of thousands of public jobs. His strategy has caused prices to spiral and poverty to reach almost 60 per cent.

Inflation rose sharply after Mr Milei devalued the peso in December. It now stands at a three-decade high of 254 per cent. However, Mr Milei’s measures have boosted markets, leading some bonds to reach four-year highs.

Dr Julio Montero, from the University of San Andrés, said: “We are now moving in the direction of a political impasse where we will see dialogue and threats from both sides.”

%n

Discover Telegraph Wine Cellar’s new wine club. Enjoy expertly chosen bottles at exclusive member prices. Plus, free delivery on every order.