Javier Milei has turned Argentina into a libertarian laboratory
But the biggest economic test is yet to come
Javier Milei, Argentina’s president, has enjoyed the best week of his term. At dawn on June 13th the Senate passed two bills aiming to boost growth and raise revenue, giving Mr Milei his first legislative victory since he came to power in December. Hours later he travelled to the G7 in Italy, where he giggled with Giorgia Meloni, the prime minister, embraced Pope Francis and palled around with Kristalina Georgieva, the head of the IMF. “I always love our meetings,” he gushed to Ms Georgieva. Yet the relationship between Mr Milei and the fund, which has a $44bn lending programme with Argentina, may soon become less chummy. Uncertainty about the president’s plans for the central bank is worrying investors and the IMF alike.
Explore more
This article appeared in the The Americas section of the print edition under the headline “A long way to go”
More from The Americas
Justin Trudeau leaves a wrecked party and divided Canada
Mark Carney and Chrystia Freeland are among those tipped as the next Liberal leader
Does made in Mexico mean made by China?
Donald Trump believes Mexico is a trojan horse for Chinese mercantilism
Failure to prepare for climate change is costing Honduras dear
Weeks after the most recent storm, the country is still in emergency mode
Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro looks set to take the throne
Relying on a fabricated election victory, the incumbent will be sworn in again
Why Spanish firms have cooled towards Latin America
Slow growth and messy politics are largely to blame
Latin Americans are worryingly relaxed about authoritarianism
The Latinobarómetro poll shows a region that is happier with its democracies, but at ease with illiberalism