Javier Milei, the president of Argentina, arrives in Spain on today (Friday) for his first official visit to the country. The trip to Madrid includes a stopover at Gran Canaria airport. Milei has not scheduled any meetings with King Felipe VI or other government officials. He will, however, participate in the annual convention of Vox, an ultra-right party in Spain.
Upon arrival in Madrid, Milei will present his book El camino del libertario in the auditorium of the newspaper La Razón. Prominent figures from politics, economics and culture will be present. On Saturday he will meet with directors of Spanish companies. He is accompanied by his staff, including his sister Karina Milei and the Argentine ambassador to Spain, Roberto Bosch Estévez.
Participation in the Europa Viva 24 convention
The highlight of Milei’s visit is his participation in the Europa Viva 24 convention of the Vox party on Sunday. Here he will give a speech to an international group of ultra-right leaders. These include Marine Le Pen from France, José Antonio Kast from Chile and Mateusz Morawiecki from Poland. Other speakers include Israeli Minister Amichai Chikli and, via video link, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The event is intended to support Santiago Abascal, the leader of Vox, in the run-up to the European elections.
Diplomatic incident
Milei’s visit comes after a diplomatic incident in which Spain’s Transport Minister, Óscar Puente, accused the Argentine president of drug use. He later said he regretted this statement. Despite apologies, the controversy continues to smolder.
Protests
This weekend, various institutions and organisations are organising protests against the ultra-right meeting. Today, the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, activists will protest at the Argentine embassy. This protest takes place exactly a week after three lesbian women were murdered in a neighbourhood in Buenos Aires. A large demonstration will take place in Callao on Saturday under the motto “La ultraderecha no es bienvenida” (the ultra-right is not welcome). Plaza Madrid is the organiser of this. This movement is very active on social networks and denounces the backlash in social rights that the rise of fascism means for the LGTBI+ community and for women. There will be a protest in the Plaza de Colón on Sunday, organised by feminist groups calling for safe and accessible abortion rights in the EU. These manifestations are responses to the increasing presence and influence of ultra-right movements in Europe.