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Argentina opposition questions Milei’s use of public funds to pay for trips abroad

english.elpais.com Argentina opposition questions Milei’s use of public funds to pay for trips abroad

Some lawmakers have requested details about the president’s visits to the US, Switzerland, Israel, Italy and Spain, which they say were more private than public in nature as he did not meet with government officials

Argentina opposition questions Milei’s use of public funds to pay for trips abroad

Some lawmakers have requested details about the president’s visits to the US, Switzerland, Israel, Italy and Spain, which they say were more private than public in nature as he did not meet with government officials

Even before he landed in Spain, before he opened his mouth and triggered a spat with the Spanish government, Javier Milei’s trip was already involved in controversy back home in Argentina. Since taking office over five months ago, the president has made six trips abroad, but in most of them he did not develop a state agenda or hold meetings with national authorities; instead, he participated in activities with more ties to his own personal interests than to national ones. Opposition leaders are questioning the fact that, while the president proclaims that “there is no money” and implements severe cuts to public spending — with the chainsaw as an emblem — Milei and his entourage are using the presidential plane and spending public funds to go on what they say amounts to publicity tours around the world.

Milei’s visit to Madrid last weekend had been confirmed by the Argentine president on March 29, when he announced on his social media accounts that he would participate in a far-right political summit in Madrid hosted by Spain’s ultranationalist party Vox, whose leader Santiago Abascal was described by Milei as his “dear friend.” After the first questions began to emerge regarding the private nature of the trip, the government responded that Milei would have an official agenda and that he would be meeting with business leaders in Spain. It was a full 45 days after the trip was announced that the meeting and its participants were confirmed.

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