Far-right “outsider” Javier Milei was elected as Argentina’s president in November, with hard-right Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni being the first European leader to congratulate him. In February, Milei visited Italy as the first country in Europe he visited as president, leading to a close relationship between the two leaders. Despite their shared hard-right views on issues such as abortion and the LGBT community, their political ideologies are actually quite different. Meloni leads a statist, nationalist party with historic links to fascism, while Milei identifies as a libertarian and an “anarcho-capitalist”. The bond between Meloni and Milei seems to be based more on their hypocritical “neoliberal populism” in service of Western imperialism rather than shared ideological convictions.
Although both Meloni and Milei claim to be populist leaders fighting against establishment politicians, their policies reveal a neoliberal spirit. Milei won the presidential election by promising to reduce state spending through privatization, cut inflation, and put money in the pockets of Argentinians, but his policies have led to more misery for the public while benefiting the elite. Meloni, on the other hand, has made populist moves against Italian banks, only to backtrack and align with neoliberal interests after pressure from the European Central Bank and banking lobby. Meloni has also shown a willingness to privatize national enterprises and maintain the neoliberal status quo, despite her populist rhetoric.
In terms of foreign policy, both Meloni and Milei support the neoliberal consensus and align with Western powers like the US. Milei supports the US in its foreign adventures and is prejudiced against China, while Meloni initially advocated for a better relationship with Russia but ultimately adopted anti-Russia policies in line with Washington’s interests. Both leaders prioritize maintaining relationships with Western powers and avoiding actions that could upset the US, demonstrating their commitment to the neoliberal order. Despite occasional populist rhetoric, their actions reflect a continued subservience to the interests of the West.
Despite facing acute problems such as rising living costs, crumbling social services, and high unemployment, both Italy and Argentina have leaders who focus more on countering perceived threats from Russia and China rather than addressing urgent domestic issues. Meloni and Milei are seen as prioritizing their alliances with Western powers over the well-being of their populations, perpetuating unchecked capitalism while claiming to fight for the people. While they may have superficial differences in their ideologies, their shared commitment to upholding the neoliberal order and remaining subservient to Western interests solidifies their bond as “sovereignists without sovereignty.”
In conclusion, the relationship between Meloni and Milei is characterized by their adherence to a hypocritical form of “neoliberal populism” that serves the interests of Western imperialism rather than addressing the urgent needs of their populations. Despite their claims to be fighting for the people and against establishment politicians, their policies and actions reveal a commitment to maintaining the neoliberal status quo and prioritizing relationships with Western powers. As Italy and Argentina continue to face economic and social challenges, the focus of their leaders on countering hypothetical threats rather than addressing real issues underscores the disconnect between rhetoric and reality in their governance.
