Argentine President Milei Calls Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez a Dictator and Thief
During a visit to Madrid ahead of early elections, Javier Milei launched harsh verbal attacks against Pedro Sánchez and refused to meet with him.
Argentine President Javier Milei launched a sharp verbal attack against Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Wednesday, labeling him a "dictator" and a "thief" during a public appearance in Madrid. The visit comes just a month before Spain holds early general elections.
Speaking at the Forum Europa event in the Spanish capital, the libertarian populist stated that he would under no circumstances agree to meet with Sánchez during his stay in the country. "I will not visit a criminal and thief like Sánchez because then I would have to have my pockets sewn shut to make sure I don't come out robbed," Milei told the audience.
In addition to the personal insults, Milei accused the Spanish prime minister of deliberately encouraging a mass influx of migrants into Ceuta, a Spanish North African enclave, to secure more votes in the upcoming election. Official figures indicate that up to 80,000 migrants arrived in Ceuta by the end of July, with the majority subsequently returning to Morocco.
The surge of migration previously sparked widespread criticism of Madrid across the European Union, drawing particular condemnation from conservative governments and political parties. Sánchez's left-wing coalition government did not immediately issue a response to Milei's remarks.
Spanish public broadcaster RTVE reported that Milei's fiery comments constituted direct interference in the nation's ongoing election campaign. Prime Minister Sánchez called the early elections for November 29 after the nation's parliament rejected several legislative measures aimed at resolving the country's housing shortage.
Recent opinion polls suggest that the far-right Vox party is positioned to roughly double its current total of 33 seats in the upcoming vote. Political analysts indicate that Vox could play a decisive role in shaping the next Spanish government.
The diplomatic friction between Argentina and Spain highlights growing political tensions as Europe faces complex migration challenges and polarized domestic landscapes. As the campaign period progresses, officials in Madrid are weighing their response to the unprecedented rhetorical attacks from the visiting South American leader.