Inauguration of Javier Milei
{{short description|2023 Argentine presidential inauguration ceremony}}
{{use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}{{Use Oxford spelling|date = January 2025}}
{{Infobox event
| title = Inauguration of Javier Milei
| image = Javier Milei y Alberto Fernández1.jpg
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| caption = Alberto Fernández handing over the presidential scepter to Javier Milei
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| date = {{end date and age|2023|12|10|df=y}}
| venue = Buenos Aires, Argentina
| location = Palace of the Congress
Casa Rosada
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| participants = Javier Milei (incoming)
Victoria Villarruel (incoming)
Alberto Fernández (outgoing)
Cristina Fernández de Kirchner
(outgoing)
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| notes = {{Succession links|left=2019|right=2027}}
}}
{{Javier Milei series}}
The inauguration of Javier Milei as the 59th president of Argentina took place on Sunday, 10 December 2023, in the Argentine Chamber of Deputies in Buenos Aires. The inauguration marked the commencement of the four-year term of Milei as president and Victoria Villarruel as vice president. The inauguration marked the formal culmination of Milei's presidential transition that began after he won the 2023 Argentine presidential election held on 19 November 2023. Over twenty national leaders and representatives attended the ceremony.
Background
{{further|2023 Argentine general election|Javier Milei 2023 presidential campaign}}
File:2023 Argentina Presidential Election - Second Round Results.svg, the biggest margin of victory since 1983.]]
The inauguration marked the culmination of the presidential transition of Javier Milei, who had become president-elect of Argentina after defeating Sergio Massa on 19 November 2023, and the formal start of the presidential administration of Milei.{{cite news|last=Spinetto|first=Juan Pablo|date=20 November 2023|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-20/milei-opens-a-new-era-what-comes-next-in-argentina-policymaking|url-status=live|title=Milei Opens a New Era: What Comes Next in Argentina Policymaking|work=Bloomberg News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129002939/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-20/milei-opens-a-new-era-what-comes-next-in-argentina-policymaking|archive-date=29 November 2023|access-date=10 December 2023}} Victoria Villarruel became Milei's vice president.{{cite news|last=Rivas Molina|first=Federico|date=15 August 2023|url=https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-08-15/whats-going-on-inside-javier-mileis-head.html|url-status=live|title=What's going on inside Javier Milei's head?|work=El País English|issn=0307-1235|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816070346/https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-08-15/whats-going-on-inside-javier-mileis-head.html|archive-date=16 August 2023|access-date=10 December 2023}} Despite being eligible for a second consecutive term, both incumbent president Alberto Fernández and incumbent vice president and former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner did not seek re-election.{{cite news|last=Struminger|first=Brenda|date=21 April 2023|url=https://www.infobae.com/politica/2023/04/21/alberto-fernandez-no-sera-candidato-a-la-reeleccion/|url-status=live|title=El presidente Alberto Fernández bajó su candidatura y no irá por la reelección|trans-title=Alberto Fernández drops out of re-election, and will not be a candidate for president|work=Infobae|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421134148/https://www.infobae.com/politica/2023/04/21/alberto-fernandez-no-sera-candidato-a-la-reeleccion/|archive-date=21 April 2023|access-date=10 December 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.pagina12.com.ar/505329-cristina-kirchner-no-voy-a-ser-candidata-a-nada-mi-nombre-no|title=Cristina Kirchner: 'No voy a ser candidata a nada, mi nombre no va a estar en ninguna boleta'. El fuerte mensaje de la vicepresidente contra el lawfare|trans-title=Cristina Kirchner: "I will not be a candidate for anything, my name will not be on any ballot". The strong message of the vice president against lawfare|work=Página 12|language=es|date=29 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213195722/https://www.pagina12.com.ar/505329-cristina-kirchner-no-voy-a-ser-candidata-a-nada-mi-nombre-no|archive-date=13 February 2023|access-date=10 December 2023}}
In the first round of the election on 22 October, Massa of the ruling Union for the Homeland unexpectedly came in first place, winning 36% of the vote, against Milei of La Libertad Avanza, who came in second place, with 30% of the vote. Massa's victory in the first round was seen as an upset because of the severe inflation that took place during Massa's tenure as Minister of Economy, as well as Milei's lead in polls up to that point.{{cite news|last=Watson|first=Katy|date=23 October 2023|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-67190494|url-status=live|title=Argentina presidential election: Javier Milei and Sergio Massa head for run-off vote|work=BBC News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023021115/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-67190494|archive-date=23 October 2023|access-date=10 December 2023}}
In the runoff, Milei defeated Massa with 55.8% of the vote, the highest percentage of the vote since Argentina's transition to democracy. In a surprise reversal of the first round, Milei outperformed polls, which had been calling a much closer race. Massa conceded defeat shortly before the official results were published.{{cite news|date=19 November 2023 |url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/balotaje-2023-en-argentina-en-vivo-nid18112023/|url-status=live|title=Balotaje 2023, en vivo: los resultados y las noticias minuto a minuto de las elecciones|trans-title=2023 runoff, live: results and minute-by-minute news of the elections|work=La Nación|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119085250/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/balotaje-2023-en-argentina-en-vivo-nid18112023/|archive-date=19 November 2023|access-date=10 December 2023}}{{cite news|last=Tagliabúe|first=Leonardo|date=19 November 2023|url=https://www.infobae.com/politica/2023/11/19/sergio-massa-reconocio-la-derrota-y-javier-milei-sera-el-proximo-presidente-de-la-argentina/|url-status=live|title=Contundente triunfo de Javier Milei: será el próximo presidente de la Argentina|trans-title=Strong victory for Javier Milei: he will be the next president of Argentina|work=Infobae|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120001825/https://www.infobae.com/politica/2023/11/19/sergio-massa-reconocio-la-derrota-y-javier-milei-sera-el-proximo-presidente-de-la-argentina/|archive-date=20 November 2023|access-date=10 December 2023}}
Planning
= Security and counter-terrorism efforts =
According to reports, the inauguration ceremony was heavily guarded with the mobilization of 7,000 security personnel. Drones were utilized as part of the security measures.{{cite web|url=https://alaan.ma/?p=49260|url-status=live|title=Al'arjantin..hafl tansib riasiun taht muraqabat mushadadatin, bitayirat masirat w nashr 7 alaf eunsur 'amniin|script-title=ar:الأرجنتين..حفل تنصيب رئاسي تحت مراقبة مشددة، بطائرات مسيرة و نشر 7 آلاف عنصر أمني |trans-title=Argentina...a presidential inauguration ceremony under tight surveillance, with drones and the deployment of 7,000 security personnel|website=Morocco Now|language=ar|date=9 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210152206/https://alaan.ma/?p=49260|archive-date=10 December 2023|access-date=10 December 2023|via=MarKoub.ma}}
Pre-inaugural events
After winning the election, Milei announced upcoming visits to the United States and Israel before taking the oath.{{cite news|last=Tobias|first=Manuela|date=20 November 2023|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-20/argentina-s-milei-plans-spiritual-trip-to-us-and-israel-soon|url-status=live|title=Argentina's Milei Plans 'Spiritual' Trip to US and Israel Before Taking Office|work=Bloomberg News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210153419/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-20/argentina-s-milei-plans-spiritual-trip-to-us-and-israel-soon|archive-date=10 December 2023|access-date=10 December 2023}} On 21 November, Milei met with the outgoing president Alberto Fernández.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/argentina-president-elect-milei-meets-outgoing-fernandez-after-election-win-2023-11-21/|url-status=live|title=Argentina President-elect Milei meets outgoing Fernandez after election win|work=Reuters|date=21 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129100518/https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/argentina-president-elect-milei-meets-outgoing-fernandez-after-election-win-2023-11-21/|archive-date=29 November 2023|access-date=10 December 2023}} On 26 November, in an attempt to soften his image, Milei also invited the incumbent Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whom he had insulted as a communist and as someone he would not deal with during his campaign;{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/aide-argentinas-milei-meets-brazil-minister-invites-lula-inauguration-2023-11-26/|url-status=live|title=Argentina's Milei invites Brazil's Lula to inauguration, travels to US|work=Reuters|date=26 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203131751/https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/aide-argentinas-milei-meets-brazil-minister-invites-lula-inauguration-2023-11-26/|archive-date=3 December 2023|access-date=10 December 2023}} Lula declined the invite.{{cite news|last=Carvalho|first=Daniel|date=5 December 2023|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-05/lula-to-skip-argentina-inauguration-in-snub-to-milei|url-status=live|title=Lula to Skip Argentina Inauguration in Snub to Milei|work=Bloomberg News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231206001555/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-05/lula-to-skip-argentina-inauguration-in-snub-to-milei|archive-date=6 December 2023|access-date=10 December 2023}} On 27 November, Milei visited the United States and prayed at the grave of the famous Orthodox rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902–1994) in New York City.{{cite news|last=Melamed|first=Juan|date=28 November 2023|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/argentinas-far-right-president-elect-visits-lubavitcher-rebbes-grave/|url-status=live|title=Argentina's president-elect visits Lubavitcher rebbe's grave|work=Times of Israel|issn=0040-7909|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205221506/https://www.timesofisrael.com/argentinas-far-right-president-elect-visits-lubavitcher-rebbes-grave/|archive-date=5 December 2023|access-date=15 December 2023}} On 28 November, Milei announced that four countries (Cuba, Iran, Nicaragua, and Venezuela) were not invited to his inauguration.{{cite news|last=Niebieskikwiat|first=Natasha|date=28 November 2023|url=https://www.notiar.com.ar/index.php/component/k2/128434-asuncion-de-milei-un-macrista-a-cargo-invitados-bochados-y-un-pacto-por-la-entrega-del-baston-por-natasha-niebieskikwiat|url-status=live|title=Asunción de Milei: un macrista a cargo, invitados bochados y un pacto por la entrega del bastón|trans-title=Inauguration of Milei: a Macrista in charge, spoiled guests and an agreement to hand over the baton |work=Clarín|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202223820/https://www.notiar.com.ar/index.php/component/k2/128434-asuncion-de-milei-un-macrista-a-cargo-invitados-bochados-y-un-pacto-por-la-entrega-del-baston-por-natasha-niebieskikwiat|archive-date=2 December 2023|access-date=10 December 2023|via=NotiAr}}
Inaugural events
File:Fórmula presidencial Milei-Villarruel (cropped).png moments after taking office]]
As is customary, Milei delivered a speech to the Argentine nation,{{cite news|last=González Monte|first=Lucas|date=2 December 2023|url=https://www.lacapitalmdp.com/traspaso-milei-jurara-ante-la-asamblea-legislativa-el-domingo-10-y-dara-luego-un-mensaje-al-pueblo-argentino/|title=Traspaso: Milei jurará ante la Asamblea Legislativa el domingo 10 y dará luego 'un mensaje al pueblo argentino'|trans-title=Transfer: Milei will be sworn in before the Legislative Assembly on Sunday the 10th and will then give "a message to the Argentine people"|work=La Capital|language=es|access-date=2 December 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/cuando-habla-javier-milei-en-la-asuncion-como-presidente-de-la-argentina-nid10122023/|title=Cuándo habla Javier Milei en la asunción como presidente de la Argentina|trans-title=When does Javier Milei speak at the inauguration as president of Argentina|work=La Nación|language=es|date=10 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210185402/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/cuando-habla-javier-milei-en-la-asuncion-como-presidente-de-la-argentina-nid10122023/|archive-date=10 December 2023|access-date=10 December 2023|url-status=live}} warning of an economic shock, which has been described as shock therapy in economic terms, to be used as a means to fix Argentina's economic woes,{{cite news|last=Marcarian|first=Agustin|date=10 December 2023|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/12/10/argentine-president-milei-warns-economic-shock-unavoidable-in-maiden-speech.html|url-status=live|title=Argentine President Milei warns economic shock unavoidable in maiden speech|work=CNBC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210190443/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/12/10/argentine-president-milei-warns-economic-shock-unavoidable-in-maiden-speech.html|archive-date=10 December 2023|access-date=10 December 2023}}{{cite news|last1=Biller|first1=David|last2=Eey|first2=Débora|date=10 December 2023|url=https://apnews.com/article/argentina-milei-inauguration-president-46b73d6a705e1c4652303022a37dbbb0|url-status=live|title=In inaugural speech, Argentina's Javier Milei prepares nation for painful shock adjustment|work=AP News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210182417/https://apnews.com/article/argentina-milei-inauguration-president-46b73d6a705e1c4652303022a37dbbb0|archive-date=10 December 2023|access-date=10 December 2023}}{{cite news|last1=Biller|first1=David|last2=Eey|first2=Débora|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/12/10/argentina-milei-inauguration-president/c081e654-9719-11ee-9d5c-d462c9032daa_story.html|title=In inaugural speech, Argentina's Javier Milei prepares nation for painful shock adjustment|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=10 December 2023|issn=0190-8286|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210193827/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/12/10/argentina-milei-inauguration-president/c081e654-9719-11ee-9d5c-d462c9032daa_story.html|archive-date=10 December 2023|access-date=10 December 2023}} with inflation rising to 200 percent.{{cite news|last1=Grimberg|first1=Candelaria|last2=Misculin|first2=Nicolás|date=10 December 2023|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/argentine-libertarian-milei-take-presidency-with-economic-crisis-focus-2023-12-10/|url-status=live|title=Argentine President Milei warns economic shock unavoidable in maiden speech|work=Reuters|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210182936/https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/argentine-libertarian-milei-take-presidency-with-economic-crisis-focus-2023-12-10/|archive-date=10 December 2023|access-date=10 December 2023}} He was accompanied to Casa Rosada by his sister Karina, who also officially became the First Lady of Argentina rather than Milei's partner Fátima Flórez.{{cite news|url=https://www.ambito.com/politica/milei-subio-su-hermana-karina-al-auto-oficial-que-lo-traslado-casa-rosada-n5895699|url-status=live|title=Milei subió a su hermana Karina al auto oficial que lo trasladó a Casa Rosada|trans-title=Milei put her sister Karina in the official car that took him to Casa Rosada|work=Ámbito Financiero|language=es|date=10 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210180914/https://www.ambito.com/politica/milei-subio-su-hermana-karina-al-auto-oficial-que-lo-traslado-casa-rosada-n5895699|archive-date=10 December 2023|access-date=10 December 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.eltribuno.com/salta/nota/2023-12-10-14-9-0-milei-llego-a-casa-rosada-de-la-mano-de-su-hermana-karina-y-acompanado-por-una-multitud|title=Milei llegó a Casa Rosada de la mano de su hermana Karina y acompañado por una multitud|trans-title=Milei arrived at Casa Rosada hand in hand with his sister Karina and accompanied by a crowd|website=El Tribuno|language=es|date=10 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210183316/https://www.eltribuno.com/salta/nota/2023-12-10-14-9-0-milei-llego-a-casa-rosada-de-la-mano-de-su-hermana-karina-y-acompanado-por-una-multitud|archive-date=10 December 2023|access-date=10 December 2023}}
Milei opted to hold an interfaith ceremony, rather than traditional Catholic rites, in order for his spiritual advisor Rabbi Axel Wahnish to participate. During the nationally televised ceremony, Wahnish spoke directly to Milei and gave his blessings.{{cite news |last1=Melamed |first1=Juan |title=Meet Argentina's Axel Wahnish, the first rabbi ever to be appointed as an ambassador to Israel |url=https://www.jta.org/2024/04/09/global/meet-argentinas-axel-wahnish-the-first-rabbi-ever-to-be-appointed-as-an-ambassador-to-israel |access-date=10 June 2024 |work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency |date=2024-04-09}}
Following the inauguration, Milei saw his popularity increase in public opinion. After the first governmental and economic reforms taken by the president and his ministers, 53% of the Argentine people had a very good and good image of the new head of state according to a popularity poll made by Aresco on 15 December.{{cite news|last=Chaves|first=Facundo|date=16 December 2023|url=https://www.infobae.com/politica/2023/12/16/una-encuesta-midio-la-primera-semana-de-javier-milei-y-como-impacto-en-la-sociedad-el-anuncio-del-ajuste|title=Una encuesta midió la primera semana de Javier Milei y cómo impactó en la sociedad el anuncio del ajuste|trans-title=A survey measured Javier Milei's first week and how the announcement of the adjustment impacted society|work=Infobae|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216112952/https://www.infobae.com/politica/2023/12/16/una-encuesta-midio-la-primera-semana-de-javier-milei-y-como-impacto-en-la-sociedad-el-anuncio-del-ajuste/|archive-date=16 December 2023|access-date=16 December 2023|url-status=live}}
Guests
File:Milei Casa Rosada mandatarios.jpg. From left to right: Vahagn Khachaturyan of Armenia, Daniel Noboa of Ecuador, Santiago Peña of Paraguay, Felipe VI of Spain, Javier Milei, Gabriel Boric of Chile, Luis Lacalle Pou of Uruguay as well as Viktor Orbán of Hungary and Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine]]
Over twenty national leaders and representatives attended Milei's inauguration.{{cite web|url=https://www.laizquierdadiario.com/Quienes-son-los-invitados-presentes-en-la-asuncion-de-Milei|url-status=live|title=Mayoría de derechistas. ¿Quienes son los invitados presentes en la asunción de Milei?|trans-title=Mostly right-wing. Who are the guests present at Milei's inauguration?|website=La Izquierda Diario|language=es|date=10 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210184951/https://www.laizquierdadiario.com/Quienes-son-los-invitados-presentes-en-la-asuncion-de-Milei|archive-date=10 December 2023|access-date=10 December 2023 |last1=Autor |first1=Sin }}{{cite news|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/invitados-a-la-asuncion-de-javier-milei-uno-por-uno-todos-los-lideres-internacionales-nid09122023/|url-status=live|title=Invitados a la asunción de Javier Milei: uno por uno, todos los líderes internacionales|trans-title=Invited to the inauguration of Javier Milei: one by one, all the international leaders|work=La Nación|language=es|date=10 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210185351/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/invitados-a-la-asuncion-de-javier-milei-uno-por-uno-todos-los-lideres-internacionales-nid09122023/|archive-date=10 December 2023|access-date=10 December 2023}} Former United States president Donald Trump indicated that he wanted to participate but did not do so for logistical reasons.{{cite news|last1=Schmid|first1=Samantha|last2=Stein|first2=Jeff|date=6 December 2023|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/12/08/javier-milei-argentina-donald-trump/|url-status=live|title=Trump, U.S. conservatives embrace Argentina's controversial new leader|newspaper=The Washington Post|issn=0190-8286|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210153859/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/12/08/javier-milei-argentina-donald-trump/|archive-date=10 December 2023|access-date=10 December 2023}} Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy were seen having an argument during the presentation of Milei and Villarruel before the Senate, described the following day by Zelenskyy as a "frank talk".{{cite news|url=https://www.kristeligt-dagblad.dk/udland/zelenskyj-og-orban-har-aerlig-samtale-ved-mileis-indsaettelse|url-status=live|title=Zelenskyj og Orbán har ærlig samtale ved Mileis indsættelse|trans-title=Zelenskyy and Orbán have a frank conversation at Milei's inauguration|work=Kristeligt Dagblad|language=da|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211123417/https://www.kristeligt-dagblad.dk/udland/zelenskyj-og-orban-har-aerlig-samtale-ved-mileis-indsaettelse|archive-date=11 December 2023|access-date=11 December 2023}}{{cite news|last=Rai|first=Arpan|date=11 December 2023|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/zelensky-orban-nato-hungary-ukraine-war-b2461801.html|url-status=live|title=Zelenskyy says had 'frank' talk with Hungary's Orban ahead of Nato summit|work=The Independent|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211123234/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/zelensky-orban-nato-hungary-ukraine-war-b2461801.html|archive-date=11 December 2023|access-date=11 December 2023}}
= International leaders and representatives =
= Other guests =
Other dignitaries included several legislators and party leaders, mostly from the political right.