Argentina elected president Javier Milei aims to radically reshape the lives and economies of its citizens. His objective is to return to a model resembling the era when the country was the world’s largest state in the late 19th century and before the crisis of the 1930s. It is a vision of stability without social rights that kept women from voting, a period many see as a stark contrast to modern democratic norms.
The image of an electric lawn mower accompanied his political transformation, from television talk show personality to presidential candidate. The lawn mower symbolizes an economic shock that would touch every corner of society. These are among the proposals pushed by the far right in the new government program for Argentina:
1. Closing the Central Bank
Milei, a mathematics graduate from a private university, shifted his view of reality about a decade ago by embracing libertarian ideas rooted in Murray Rothbard and echoed by other far-right voices who influence the discourse in some corners of the political spectrum. A centerpiece of this shift is the proposed liquidation of the Central Bank. The aim is to stop printing money and reduce government regulatory interference, with inflation expected to ease as a result.
2. Dollarization and privatizations
The president-elect envisions Argentines trading in the currency of their choice and has voiced a bold goal: to dollarize the economy. He argues that monetary sovereignty should sit with a stronger state in alignment with the United States Treasury, drawing a line to precedents in other countries such as Ecuador two decades ago. Critics warn this move could carry enormous social costs and threaten the peso’s stability. Officials have suggested substantial funds would be required to implement dollarization. In his first remarks, Milei reiterated plans to privatize all feasible state assets, while noting that strategic assets in energy—like YPF, which is expected to remain partially under state control—will be pivotal in the transition. He also signaled that public media and Enarsa could follow similar privatization logic, insisting that activities better handled by the private sector should move in that direction.
During this phase, the need to refocus on private sector efficiency and to pursue private sector leadership in core industries is highlighted as a recurring theme.
3. State Reform
The program signals a strong stance on public expenditures and a reassessment of the role of international oversight bodies. The proposed reforms call for reducing public spending, trimming ministries, and reassessing subsidies and social benefits. A future Secretary of State, Diana Mondino, underscored the commitment to a state that operates more efficiently and at lower cost, while acknowledging that such changes may trigger public protests. A broader reform agenda includes labor market changes and a shift away from certain traditional benefits, with the aim of boosting competitiveness while addressing persistent budget pressures. There is also discussion about shifting pension arrangements away from the current model toward a private framework, an approach reminiscent of earlier reform cycles in the country’s recent history.
Alongside these changes, there is talk of reforming tax policy and energy subsidies, with a view to enhancing overall fiscal discipline. A deep labor reform is proposed as part of this effort, especially around wage mechanisms and collective bargaining norms, with the recognition that such moves could face organized resistance.
4. Export and commercial opening
The administration plans to strengthen export-oriented sectors including grains, meat, energy, and minerals, while aiming to reduce taxes in these areas. The stance toward climate policy is skeptical, with climate-related costs from monocultures or energy extraction viewed as overstated by some proponents. In the international arena, the government is portrayed as adopting a flexible posture toward traditional trade blocs, while signaling a readiness to explore new alliances if they align with broader economic goals. The idea is to replicate a path seen in other periods of liberalization, though the exact outcomes in small and medium-sized businesses are a point of concern for many observers. The broader theme centers on making the labor market and tax system competitive on a global stage, potentially reshaping the domestic business landscape.
As with past cycles of liberalization, the proposed approach envisions a more open economy with robust competition. Such openings are expected to bring both opportunities and challenges for local enterprises, influencing how many small firms adapt to a more globalized market.
5. Without the Ministries of Culture and Education
The plan contemplates reshaping the cultural and educational landscape by rethinking the roles and financing of institutions such as education, culture, and the national media complex. A reimagined Ministry of Human Capital is proposed as a vehicle to address inequality of opportunity, along with a reallocation of resources toward initiatives aimed at broader social equity. The aim is to streamline governance while preserving the country’s rich cultural and educational tradition, albeit through a new organizational framework that emphasizes efficiency and outcomes.
Cited analyses and policy briefings provide context for these proposals and help illuminate the potential impacts on social programs, public services, and the broader economy. These perspectives serve to balance the discussion, highlighting both the ambitions and the cautions that accompany such sweeping reforms. (Source: policy briefings and expert commentary on Argentina’s electoral program.)