President of Argentina, Milei, will receive award in Germany amid protests

Argentine President Javier Milei is planning a visit to the German port of Hamburg on Saturday, where he will receive a medal but is also expected to hear loud protests against his ultra-liberal economic policies.

The Friedrich August von Hayek Foundation, a think tank named after the Austrian pioneer of neoliberalism, plans to award him a medal.

Stefan Kooths, president of the association of liberal economists and professor of economics, praised Milei, who won a convincing majority in November last year.

Milei’s liberal economic and sociopolitical agenda aims to address Argentina’s long-standing issues such as corruption, a state-dominated economy, rising debt and monetary instability.

Argentina, South America’s second-largest economy, is currently in recession with challenges that include a bloated state apparatus, low industrial productivity and a sizeable shadow economy that saps tax revenues.

Milei defends radical austerity measures to revitalize the country. In a positive sign, May saw the first decline in annual inflation rates since the middle of last year.

Meanwhile, left-wing groups are planning protests, including a rally called “No Prize for the Far Right – No Medal for Milei” near the Hamburg stadium on Saturday, shortly before he was due to receive the award.

Milei was snubbed by authorities during the Spanish visit, amid a bitter war of words with the left-wing government in Madrid.

On Sunday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected to meet Milei in Berlin, although a previously planned military honors reception has been cancelled.