Argentine President Javier Milei plans a visit to the German port city of Hamburg on Saturday, where he will receive a medal but is also likely 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, chairman of the liberal association of economists and professor of economics, praised Milei, who won a convincing majority in November last year.
Milei’s liberal economic and socio-political agenda aims to tackle Argentina’s long-standing problems such as corruption, a state-dominated economy, skyrocketing debt and currency instability.
Argentina, South America’s second largest economy, is currently in recession with challenges including a bloated state apparatus, low industrial productivity and a significant shadow economy that undermines tax revenues.
Milei advocates radical austerity measures to revive the country. There was a positive sign in May, the first decline in annual inflation since the middle of last year.
Meanwhile, left-wing groups are planning protests, including a demonstration called “No Prize for the Far Right – No Medal for Milei” near the Hamburg venue on Saturday, shortly before he is due to receive the award.
Milei has been rejected by officials during the Spanish leg of his visit amid a bitter war of words with the left-wing government in Madrid.
On Sunday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will meet Milei in Berlin, although a previously planned military honors reception was canceled.
