2023 Argentine presidential inauguration ceremony
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.
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. Victoria Villarruel became Milei's vice president. 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.
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.
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.
A right-wing libertarian who has also been described as a far-right populist, Milei, who is a member of the Libertarian Party, became the first libertarian president in Argentine history. Observers generally saw Milei's win as a sign more of discontent with the "status quo" than support for his politics, and his victory was likened to those of Donald Trump in the United States and Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil.
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.
Pre-inaugural events.
After winning the election, Milei announced upcoming visits to the United States and Israel before taking the oath. On 21 November, Milei met with the outgoing president Alberto Fernández. 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; Lula declined the invite. 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. On 28 November, Milei announced that four countries (Cuba, Iran, Nicaragua, and Venezuela) were not invited to his inauguration.
Inaugural events.
As is customary, Milei delivered a speech to the Argentine nation, 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, with inflation rising to 200 percent. 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.
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.
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.
Guests.
Over twenty national leaders and representatives attended Milei's inauguration. Former United States president Donald Trump indicated that he wanted to participate but did not do so for logistical reasons. 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".
Other guests.
Other dignitaries included several legislators and party leaders, mostly from the political right.
References.
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