Who is Javier Milei, the Argentinian presidential hopeful who calls his dogs 'strategists'?

Javier Milei was a dark horse in the Argentinian presidential race just a month ago. But his surprise victory along with his nemesis Sergio Massa has catapulted him to a central position in Argentina politics. In the first round of polls on October 22, Massa got 37 per cent votes while Milei garnered 30 per cent. Both will now contest against each other in the run-off elections next month.

Milei has a colourful image. The 53-year-old is a former rock musician and has often become a lightning rod for the anger of the voters. But he has public support. He stunned political pundits by finishing on top in the August primaries.

Javier Milei career

Add WION as a Preferred Source

Milei joined politics just a few years ago. He claimed he did so after a 'calling from God'. Before that, he was an economist working in media and business.

He has also worked for Eduardo Eurnekian, one of Argentina's richest business leaders. Eurnekian became an early supporter of Milei's campaign but later withdrew support saying that Milei shows signs of becoming a dictator.

Milei represents the Libertad Avanza coalition. He rides the anti-establishment wave in Argentina.

Also Read | Economy minister Sergio Massa and outsider Javier Milei head to Argentina runoff

His campaigning style and showmanship often draw comparisons to former US president Donald Trump. Milei's supporters even sport baseball caps with the words 'Forces of Heaven'. This is similar to 'Make America Great Again' caps.

The 'El Loco' Milei

'El Loco' means 'the madman' in Spanish. Milei often attracts the moniker due to his bizarre statements.

He reportedly has five cloned dogs and loves them dearly. This sounds just fine till you get to know that he called his dogs "best strategists in the world". He uses a medium (a person claiming to have the ability to facilitate trans-species or trans-dimensional conversation) to 'talk'to his dogs.

What are Javier Milei's policies?

Milei has championed cutting government spending. And to drive his point home he has even appeared with a chainsaw at rallies, in the trademark 'shock-value' style of his campaigning.

With inflation in the country hitting the 138 per cent mark, Milei has been able to stoke voter anger against the political elite who are often blamed for the mismanagement.

"He has managed to reignite something that was lost in Argentine politics, which is that he offers hope," said Juan Luis Gonzalez, an Argentine journalist who wrote a book on Milei titled "El Loco" or "The Crazy One". Gonzalez was quoted by Reuters.

"In terms of political logic, I am a mistake, because what I have come to do is in fact stamp out the privileges of politicians," Milei told Reuters in an interview last year.

Milei refuses to admit that burning of fossil fuels has caused climate change.

He calls abortion 'murder' and wants to restrict access to abortion. On the other hand, he wants to make owning a gun and selling organs easier.

Javier Milei's early life and career

Milei was born on October 22, 1970 in Palermo, Buenos Aires. He was educated in Catholic schools and private universities. Information in the public domain suggests in school, he was called 'El Loco' (the madman) because of his angry outbursts and aggressively expressed rhetoric. He played amateur football.

Read | Explained: What's the deal with Argentina presidential elections

He was part of a cover band Everest. They played covers of Rolling Stones songs.

He attended the University of Belgrano and later earned two mastersdegrees.

He was a senior economist working at HSBC in Argentina. He has also served as an economist at a number of international and national government public bodies.

What do experts say about Javier Milei

Juan Luis Gonzalez, the journalist who wrote a book on Milei, says that he is 'an unstable leader for an unstable country', as quoted by Reuters.

Critics of Milei have often said that he tends to be a populist promising unrealistic solutions to complex problems. It is even said that he will not be able to implement what he is promising.

"Milei's voters are excited, some of the few going into the election with hope, but the problem is what's going to happen if there is disappointment?" said Fernando Morra, a Peronist former vice minister of economy during the current government. He was quoted by Reuters.

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE