A frontal attack on Sánchez in the middle of Spain's campaign
Speaking at a Nueva Economía Fórum event held at Madrid's Real Casino Gran Círculo, Javier Milei described Spain's prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, as an unacceptable dictator and accused him of corruption. He told the audience that socialists should be thrown out of office, framing the coming general election as a decisive moment for the country. The gathering brought together political leaders, business figures, diplomats and foreign correspondents.[S1][S2][S3][S4][S6]
The Argentine leader said he would not call on Sánchez while visiting Spain, calling the Spanish premier a criminal and a thief and arguing that he had no intention of being robbed. He also said socialist leaders are defined by using the state to take money from citizens. His words drew applause from part of the audience, according to one account of the event.[S1][S3][S4]
The visit is Milei's seventh to Spain since taking office in late 2023, and it is not an official state visit. It overlaps with the final stretch of the Spanish campaign before the general election scheduled for November 29. On previous trips he met right-wing figures but never Sánchez, whom he has criticized repeatedly in public.[S1][S2][S5]
Support for Abascal and Ayuso, and a nod to 2027
Milei used the platform to endorse Santiago Abascal, the Vox leader, and Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the Madrid regional president and a leading figure in the Popular Party, saying both offer sound ideas that could pull Spain out of decline. He explained that his affection for Spain led him to support those he believes will bring Spaniards greater wellbeing. No face-to-face meeting with Abascal was planned, because the Vox leader had said he would be campaigning in Galicia and Asturias; the party's general secretary, Ignacio Garriga, was among those present.[S2][S3]
The speech also looked beyond Spain's election. Milei told the audience that if Argentines re-elect him, the coming years would be unforgettable, turning the Madrid appearance into an early piece of his own 2027 campaign. He presented Kirchnerism as the local version of the socialism he attacks in Europe and carried his domestic political themes onto a European stage.[S2][S3]
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Migration, the economy and the case for investing in Argentina
On immigration, Milei accused the Spanish government of encouraging an invasion for electoral purposes and referred to incidents in Ceuta in July. He argued that each migrant represents a vote and linked migration policy with economic stagnation, saying newcomers cost more in public spending than they produce. He also blamed Europe's left for what he called the continent's brutal stagnation and criticized state intervention in Spain's housing market.[S2][S3][S5]
Milei defended his economic program and described Argentina as an aggressive beta asset, acknowledging a recent rise in country risk above 700 points while stressing that the country runs a financial surplus. He said consolidated debt had fallen from around 100 percent of GDP to 39 percent, and predicted that once international conditions calm and Argentines endorse his course next year, the country would move toward investment-grade status and unprecedented growth.[S1]
He also argued that close alignment with the United States does not prevent trade with China, noting that Washington itself trades with Beijing and that China is among Argentina's most important commercial partners. He said commercial ties and strategic alignment with the United States on economic, financial, cultural and security matters are not mutually exclusive, and he restated his commitment to Western values, which he said are best represented by the United States and Israel. He closed by inviting business leaders to look south and invest in Argentina.[S1]
The Malvinas claim, without force
Asked by Spanish journalists about the South Atlantic islands, Milei insisted that the Malvinas are Argentine by right, history and geography, saying the original population was Argentine and was expelled by the British. He ruled out any military route and described the claim as diplomatic, promising to keep negotiating until the islands are returned. He warned that companies seeking to do business in the islands at high risk would not be allowed to operate at low risk on the mainland, naming Vaca Muerta as an example.[S5]
