The Italian mirror

Translated by Giulia Maffeis

The visit of the Argentine delegation to Rome

The relations between Italy and Argentina are based on deep cultural ties and significant bilateral cooperation in various sectors. Collaboration ranges from political dialogue to economic, scientific, and cultural cooperation. The presence of numerous institutional visits by the respective Presidents in recent years has contributed to maintaining and strengthening these ties between the two countries.

On February 11th, the meeting between Argentine President Javier Gerardo Milei and Italian authorities, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, and Pope Francis, highlighted the importance attributed to these bilateral relations and the mutual commitment to maintaining a constructive dialogue. In addition, the already outlined personality of the newly elected Argentine president became clearer almost three months after his inauguration.

The meeting with Giorgia Meloni

A key element of the meeting with Meloni, in addition to a discussion on regional cooperation and the need - in light of Italy's Presidency of the G7 - for close coordination between the Group of 7 and the G20, also appears to be a focus on multilateral relations, especially between the European Union and Mercosur, as well as Argentina's accession to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Argentina's inclusion in the context of Western countries through its membership in the OECD is a significant signal of the country's alignment with principles and values shared by the international Western community. Milei, who is of Italian origin and brought with him a substantial delegation of entrepreneurs, aims to revitalize the Rome-Buenos Aires axis, both within the G20 and the UN, and as a mediating element in the dialogue between regional blocs.

Milei has demonstrated his commitment to defending "Western values" through symbolic gestures, such as his embrace of the Western Wall, the announcement of the embassy's relocation from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, showing support for Israel in contrast to the positions shared by the majority of Latin American countries, and distancing himself from alliances seeking to build an alternative world order to the United States.

The meeting with Pope Francis

In the Library Hall of the Apostolic Palace, the private conversation between the two leaders was unusually prolonged, lasting about an hour, an unusual length for papal audiences. The meeting has been termed "historic" by some, following the statements made by Milei towards the Pope during the electoral campaign, for which he claims to have offered his apologies, praising the Pope and acknowledging the importance of his figure. At the end of the discussion and the presentation of the Argentine delegation, the customary exchange of gifts took place, with Milei presenting Pope Francis with dulce de leche, a folder containing a copy of the handwritten letter from Chancellor José María Gutiérrez to Juan Bautista Alberdi in 1854, and a commemorative postcard of Mama Antula.

Pope Francis responded with a bronze medallion inspired by St. Peter's Baldacchino, volumes of papal documents, and his message for peace for the current year.

During the conversation, the two leaders delved into the agenda of the new Argentine government to address the economic crisis, also discussing international issues such as ongoing conflicts, commitment to peace among nations, and the fight against poverty. On this occasion, faced with Milei, who had closed the soup kitchens providing food to those in need, Bergoglio condemned the fact that "many people today are denied their right to healthcare" and live in conditions of extreme poverty.

Finally, the newly elected president took the opportunity to gift the Pope a series of books and works reflecting his libertarian thinking, a symbolic gesture considering the Pontiff's anticapitalist stance. These authors argue against the harmful effects of state power and intervention in the economy, believing that such practices lead to detrimental long-term results for society, generating chaos.

"Liberale, Liberista, Libertario”

The true conceptual political clash we face translates into a specific dichotomy: democracy versus reaction. A reactionary government supports a return to a historical and politically outdated arrangement. It is essential to clarify that the concept of "democracy" extends beyond electoral moments, consolidating itself in inclusive processes and decisions through collaborative practices. A distinctive feature of contemporary right-wing politics is its presentation as a defender of national interests, claiming readiness to protect them at any cost. At this point, similarities emerge between the two governments.

Three terms suggest an analogy (they’re certainly interconnected) but express different positions and ideologies. In the political context, a "liberal" is associated with a supporter of liberalism, an ideology that promotes individual freedom, democracy, civil rights, and the limitation of government power by balancing it with individual liberty. The term "liberism" is often linked to a more radical approach to the market economy, also known as "laissez-faire," which rejects state intervention.

At the extreme end of these terms, we find libertarianism, a political and economic philosophy based on maximal individual freedom (even against authority to defend it) and the limitation of government power. Libertarians emphasize the importance of individual rights, private property, and freedom of choice, seeking to minimize government intervention in personal and economic matters.

"Philosophically, I am an anarcho-capitalist, and therefore, I have a deep contempt for the State. I believe the State is the enemy; I think the State is a criminal association," said Argentine President Milei in an interview. "In fact," he emphasized, "the State is a criminal association where a group of politicians agree and decide to use the monopoly to steal resources from the private sector," he specified.

The Argentine Scenario

Every passing day, Argentina faces rampant inflation and an inextricable entanglement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), of which it is the main debtor. In the current Argentine landscape, following the inauguration of the new president, the economic situation in the country appears to have further deteriorated, triggering protests from workers and strong opposition.

At present, Milei is implementing measures that are shaking up Argentina, but this 'malaise' will be only temporary given future stability. El Loco, as he is called, does not have a smooth path either in the Chamber or in the Senate. His party is represented by only 38 deputies out of 257 in the Chamber and 7 senators out of 72 in the Senate. This situation has blocked the path of the disastrous Omnibus Law.

In summary, the outlined scenario suggests that the relations between Italy and Argentina are solid and evolving positively, with a willingness for continuous collaboration and shared commitment to global and regional issues. Furthermore, despite ideological differences, the meeting between Pope Francis and Milei took place in a friendly, cooperative atmosphere of mutual listening, providing a reassuring promise for a 'newborn' government.

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