The key facts

  • Milei called Sánchez an 'unpresentable dictator' and refused to meet him; Sánchez responded with a video and a banner 'The leftists welcome you to Spain'.
  • This is Milei's seventh visit to Spain ahead of the November 29 elections; there will be no public meetings with Feijóo and Abascal, a meeting with Isabel Díaz Ayuso is possible.
  • The diplomatic crisis has continued since May 2024, when Milei accused Sánchez's wife of corruption, and Spain recalled its ambassador.

Ironic reception and harsh words

Argentine President Javier Milei arrived in Madrid on Wednesday, October 21, and at a business forum once again unleashed criticism on Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, calling him an 'unpresentable dictator'. According to Anadolu, he stated that he would not meet with the 'criminal and thief' Sánchez, since he is 'not ready to sew up his pockets so as not to be robbed'. To journalists, Milei called his critics 'stupid, incompetent, impoverishing leftists'. Euronews quotes his words as a call to remove the socialists from power 'by force' and his assessment of Sánchez as a 'shameful dictator'.

Sánchez's response: 'leftist and proud of it'

Sánchez responded with a video on X, reinterpreting the word 'zurdo' ('leftist'), which he described as offensive. He listed what he considers leftist positions: raising pensions, annual increases in the minimum wage, more time for parents with children, defending the right to abortion, and an anti-war stance, and concluded: 'Yes, I am a leftist, and I am proud of it.' He also changed his avatar on the social network to an image with the slogan 'Lefty and proud' on a red background. At the headquarters of the Socialist Party on Ferraz Street in Madrid, a banner was hung: 'Leftist men and women welcome you to Spain' — with a reference to the fact that Spain, according to Sánchez, is the fastest-growing country in Europe.

Context of the conflict

Relations between the two leaders escalated in May 2024, when Milei, at a rally of the far-right party Vox in Madrid, accused Sánchez's wife of corruption; Madrid in response recalled its ambassador from Buenos Aires, which escalated into a diplomatic crisis. Since taking office in December 2023, Milei has visited Spain several times, never officially meeting with Sánchez. The current trip — the seventh — takes place ahead of the general elections on November 29; Argentine authorities described it as part of the election campaign in support of Spain's right-wing parties.

Whom Milei will meet

According to Anadolu, a meeting with Vox leader Santiago Abascal is not expected — he is campaigning in other regions; Milei is to meet with the Vox secretary general and the director of the party-affiliated Disenso foundation. Euronews clarifies that Abascal confirmed the absence of a joint photo, saying they would meet privately. A meeting with the President of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso of the People's Party, whom Milei on Wednesday called a 'friend', according to Anadolu, has not yet been confirmed; Euronews reports that it is scheduled for 5:00 PM on Wednesday — in June 2024, Ayuso already presented Milei with the International Medal of the Community of Madrid. Neither PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo nor Abascal will publicly meet with Milei or be photographed with him in the weeks before the elections; Milei and Feijóo have never held a formal meeting.

Protests in A Coruña

On Wednesday in A Coruña, where Abascal was speaking, a protest action took place, organized by Socialist Youth together with members of Galiza Nova (the youth wing of the Galician Nationalist Bloc). It began peacefully — demonstrators chanted 'They shall not pass' — but by the end of the event the situation escalated: eggs and other objects were thrown at the police cordon. Abascal called the protest 'coercion', stated that Galicia remains a 'thorn' for Vox, called on his supporters to mobilize 'in the name of freedom', and criticized Sánchez as a 'traitor' and 'careerist' over the situation in Ceuta.