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First Post
09-06-2025
- Business
- First Post
'Rough up local crook': Argentina's Milein insults Spanish PM Sanchez in expletive-laden speech
Argentina President Javier Milei on Sunday renewed his expletive-laden attack on Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, labeling him a 'crook' during a visit to Madrid for an economic forum read more Argentina President Javier Milei on Sunday renewed his expletive-laden attack on Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, labeling him a 'crook' during a visit to Madrid for an economic forum. According to a Buenos Aires Times report, in a fiery speech where he declared 'death to socialism,' Milei intensified the ongoing feud between the two leaders. Their dispute dates back to last year when Milei accused Sánchez's wife of corruption, prompting Spain to withdraw its ambassador from Argentina. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Milei delivered his remarks at the Madrid Economic Forum, a libertarian event with strong connections to cryptocurrency circles. With rock music blaring and some audience members hurling insults at Sánchez, Milei spoke animatedly, taking another jab at the Spanish prime minister, added the report. 'If you want to rough up the local crook too, I've got no problem with it,' Buenos Aires Times quoted Milei as saying, referring to Sanchez. Later in his speech, which centered on defending his administration's economic policies, Milei reacted to audience members who shouted, 'We need you here!' 'I will always be on your side when it comes to opposing the socialist scum,' he was quoted as saying, followed by an expletive referring to Sánchez's party, to thunderous applause. As of late Sunday, Spanish officials had not responded to Milei's remarks, according to Buenos Aires Times report. Milei's comments came just hours after tens of thousands rallied in Madrid at an opposition-led protest, accusing Sánchez's government of corruption. Sánchez's wife, brother, and a former top aide are all under investigation in separate graft cases — probes he has dismissed as a right-wing smear campaign. Milei, who took office in December 2023, has vowed to revive Argentina's ailing economy through aggressive spending cuts and deregulation. While his government recorded the country's first budget surplus in over a decade, rising inflation, job losses, and falling consumer spending have fueled public unease. At the forum, the La Libertad Avanza leader delivered a forceful defence of his economic agenda. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Our goals were very ambitious. They said it was impossible, and now, after a year-and-a-half, we have exceeded all our campaign goals. They told us it was impossible to make a five-point adjustment in a month, and we did it,' the president was quoted as saying. 'The model is definitely working. Therefore, what I want to leave you with is the testimony that the ideas of freedom work,' Milei said. 'We know what needs to be done, we know how to do it. Therefore, let us not lack the courage to do it, because we are the ones who can get everyone back on their feet,' continued the president, whose speech was widely applauded. Milei also declared that 'by 2026, inflation in Argentina will be a thing of the past.' 'Today, Argentina has embraced the path of growth. In 40 years, it will be the world's leading power, without a doubt,' he claimed. As is typical, President Milei, who refuses to hold press conferences, took aim at the media, denouncing 'corrupt journalists who spread filthy news'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'We don't have enough real journalists,' he added. Milei arrived in Madrid on Saturday from Rome, where he met with Pope Leo XIV, as part of a 10-day tour of Europe and Israel. During his visit, he also met with Santiago Abascal, his political ally and leader of Spain's far-right Vox party. No meeting with Prime Minister Sánchez is scheduled. On Sunday, Milei also held talks with Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia, who has been living in exile in Spain since September. With inputs from agencies
Straits Times
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Argentina's Milei insults Spanish PM Sanchez again
Argentine's President Javier Milei delivers a speech at the Madrid Economic Forum, in Madrid, Spain, June 8, 2025. REUTERS/Isabel Infantes MADRID - Argentina's President Javier Milei insulted Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at an event in Madrid, a year after a similar attack escalated into a diplomatic spat. At the Madrid Economic Forum event on Sunday evening, Milei called for "clobbering the local bandit", referring to Sanchez without naming him directly. Sanchez's office declined to comment on the incident. Elected in late 2023, Milei, a libertarian and former TV pundit, has often taken maverick positions and made theatrical gestures, such as smashing a pinata of the central bank on live TV. In May 2024, Milei called Sanchez's wife Begona Gomez "corrupt" at another event in Madrid. The comment led to a diplomatic spat, with the Spanish government withdrawing its ambassador from Buenos Aires for several months when Milei refused to apologise. Milei subsequently doubled down calling Sanchez "arrogant", "totalitarian" and a "coward", although Argentina kept its ambassador in Madrid. Gomez is under preliminary investigation for possible influence peddling and corruption. She and her husband have denied any wrongdoing. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
09-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Argentina's Milei insults Spanish PM Sanchez again
Argentine's President Javier Milei delivers a speech at the Madrid Economic Forum, in Madrid, Spain, June 8, 2025. REUTERS/Isabel Infantes MADRID (Reuters) -Argentina's President Javier Milei insulted Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at an event in Madrid, a year after a similar attack escalated into a diplomatic spat. At the Madrid Economic Forum event on Sunday evening, Milei called for "clobbering the local bandit", referring to Sanchez without naming him directly. Sanchez's office declined to comment on the incident. Elected in late 2023, Milei, a libertarian and former TV pundit, has often taken maverick positions and made theatrical gestures, such as smashing a pinata of the central bank on live TV. In May 2024, Milei called Sanchez's wife Begona Gomez "corrupt" at another event in Madrid. The comment led to a diplomatic spat, with the Spanish government withdrawing its ambassador from Buenos Aires for several months when Milei refused to apologise. Milei subsequently doubled down calling Sanchez "arrogant", "totalitarian" and a "coward", although Argentina kept its ambassador in Madrid. Gomez is under preliminary investigation for possible influence peddling and corruption. She and her husband have denied any wrongdoing. (Reporting by Inti Landauro and Isabel Infantes; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
Euronews
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Pope Leo XIV welcomes Argentine President Javier Milei at Vatican
Argentine President Javier Milei has met with Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican on Saturday, where they discussed the importance of urgent efforts towards achieving peace. The Pope and Milei also spoke about bilateral relations, as well as "matters of common interest, such as social-economic progress, the fight against poverty, and the commitment to social cohesion," a statement by the Holy See Press Office noted. After his meeting with the pope, the Argentine President met with the Vatican Secretary of State cardinal Pietro Parolin, accompanied by the Under-Secretary for Relations with States, Reverend Msgr. Mirosław Wachowski. Milei arrived in Rome on Friday, the first stop of his 10-day European tour, where he attended the signing of a natural gas export deal, local media reported. The event was also attended by Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who hosted the Argentine president for a private dinner afterwards. Shortly after his meeting with Pope Leo XIV, Milei departed for Spain, to attend the Madrid Economic Forum. After Spain, the Argentine president will also visit France, and will end his trip in Israel, where he will receive an award in recognition of his support of Israel in a ceremony at the Knesset on 11 June. While the Spanish socialist government wants to increase defence spending in line with the demands of US President Donald Trump and European allies, a thousand demonstrators from Podemos, Izquierda Unida and Sumar protested this Saturday in the Spanish capital against increasing the military budget. The demonstration has taken on special relevance after the firm warning of Izquierda Unida (IU) that they are questioning their place in the coalition government. Its parliamentary spokesman, Enrique Santiago, has been categorical in stating that it is practically impossible for his party to continue in an executive that assumes this course. He also urged Pedro Sánchez to stand firm in the face of pressure from NATO, despite the reproaches he may receive, recalling that IU, of which minister Sira Rego is a member, firmly rejects the increase in defence spending. Sumar's presence at Saturday's protest was undoubtedly the most striking. The internal debate within the electoral coalition has once again intensified in the run-up to the NATO summit in The Hague at the end of June, where allied countries are expected to make a new commitment to allocate up to 5% of GDP to defence, up from the current 2%. Labour minister and leader of the left-wing coalition, Yolanda Díaz, has long distanced herself from Sánchez's position, though without breaking the unity of the government. Podemos has also publicly denounced the increase in defence spending approved by the government, saying it is a "betrayal" of progressive principles and a direct alignment with the strategic interests of the United States and NATO. MEP Irene Montero warned on Saturday that, by prioritising rearmament, the central government is laying the foundations for future cuts in social policies, especially affecting public education and programmes such as the Co-Responsibles Plan, aimed at improving family reconciliation. According to a survey by the Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (CIS), published in March, 75% of Spaniards are actually in favour of increasing military spending, especially after Donald Trump's re-election.
