Argentina’s Milei calls Spain PM Sánchez a ‘dictator’ in Madrid visit

Sánchez has emerged as a global progressive star, but his eight-year premiership is in peril ahead of the Nov. 29 general election.(AFP) — Argentina’s far-right president, Javier Milei, called Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez a “dictator” during a visit to Madrid on Wednesday, urging voters to oust the Socialist leader in upcoming elections.It was yet another barb by Milei against his nemesis, drawing condemnation of “external interference, attacks and insults” from the Spanish government.“You are suffering under the disgraceful dictator Pedro Sánchez,” Milei said at an economic forum in the Spanish capital, adding: “Kick the Socialists out, because you are the cradle of liberalism.”Sánchez has emerged as a global progressive star, notably for his clashes with U.S. President Donald Trump and Israel, but his eight-year premiership is in peril ahead of the Nov. 29 general election.The main conservative opposition Popular Party is predicted to win the most seats but fall short of a majority, potentially giving far-right Vox the decisive say in forming the next government.Milei also referred to Sánchez as a “thief” and “corrupt” as the Spanish leader grapples with corruption investigations involving relatives and former Socialist heavyweights.Sánchez has consistently defended the integrity of his government and the sources of his party’s funding.The Spanish Foreign Ministry condemned Milei for his “external interference, attacks and insults” against Sánchez and his “call for the use of violence.”“It is shameful that a person who holds the highest office of a sister nation makes visits to our country with the only aim of trying to foster a climate of polarisation and violence,” the ministry said in a statement.The Socialists have invoked Milei during campaigning to rally left-wing voters against what they call a “reactionary international,” highlighting the Argentine leader’s sweeping cuts to public spending, symbolized by a chainsaw.Sánchez took pride in Milei’s latest attack during a campaign rally in the northern city of Burgos on Wednesday, contrasting Spain’s strong economic growth and social measures with cuts in Argentina.“The chainsaws and cuts that the right and the far right always make when they govern build nothing, rather they destroy … They don’t make our country or our economy grow, they sink them,” Sánchez said.Milei did not meet with Sánchez during his visit — the latest of several unofficial trips to Spain that he has used to attack its leftist government and rally with the right-wing opposition.The self-described “anarcho-capitalist” instead met with figures from Vox and Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the Popular Party leader of the Madrid region and an acerbic critic of Sánchez.Milei hailed Vox leader Santiago Abascal and Ayuso as “friends” during his speech in Madrid, saying “they have sound, positive ideas for pulling Spain out of its decline.”The firebrand libertarian also held a video call with Abascal during which they joked about the insults against Sánchez and the reaction, according to footage posted on social media.In 2024, a diplomatic crisis erupted after Milei called Sánchez’s wife, Begoña Gómez, “corrupt,” prompting Madrid to recall its ambassador to Argentina for months.Subscribe to our free newslettersOur weekly newsletter Closing Arguments offers the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world, while the monthly Under the Lights dishes the legal dirt from Hollywood, sports, Big Tech and the arts.Additional Reads