Argentine President Javier Miley took to the stage in Buenos Aires on Monday night, winning a rock concert turned book launch in a move that delighted his fans but drew criticism from opposition members who accused him of being out of touch with the country’s economic issues.
Surrounded by a crowd of 15,000, including political allies and young supporters, Mailei traded his trademark chainsaw for a microphone as he energized his base ahead of the Oct. 26 legislative elections and put the controversy surrounding the resignation of one of the ruling party’s big-name candidates behind him.
José Luis Esparto was running for a seat in the Argentine House of Representatives representing the province of Buenos Aas, a key region for the “La Libertad Avanza” (Progress Before Freedom) party. He resigned on Sunday amid allegations that he accepted payments from drug transporters, but denied any wrongdoing.
Milei did not explicitly mention the controversy on stage, but he physically accepted Diego Santilli, who stepped in to replace Espert on the campaign trail.
What was billed as the launch of Milei’s latest book, “The Construction of the Miracle,” turned into a show live on State TV that included members of Milei’s ruling coalition performing nine rock covers.
Mailay, a far-right libertarian, performed songs like Charlie Garcia’s “Demo Riendo Hotel” and Nino Blabo’s “Libre.”
The spectacle drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders who accused the president of being out of touch with Argentina’s growing economic difficulties.
Argentina faces inflation and has experienced currency volatility in recent weeks
The country’s economic fragility recently prompted the Trump administration to announce a new financial support package, and Myray is set to meet US President Donald Trump, whom he has often admired, in Washington on October 14 to discuss the plan.
Buenos Aires Governor Axel Kisilov accused Mailei of “living in another reality.”
“Perhaps in his time as a candidate, Mailei was able to do these things, but I think it’s very serious now… They should take responsibility and deal with what’s happening to the business owners,” he told Argentine television station C5N.
Others were more demanding. “Mr. President, please come back to planet Earth,” Ricardo López Murphy, a member of the United Republicans of Deputies, wrote to X.
Former Economy Minister Martin Rousteau said: “A day’s work is lost and the only Argentine miracle will be performed by millions of families who cast a spell to make a spell until the end of the month.”
The president, whose party suffered a significant electoral defeat in Buenos Aires in September, rallied his supporters and took aim at his opponents.
Milei closed by taking off his leather jacket, ditching it for a suit and tie from December 10 onwards, if his party can expand its power in parliament.
The ruling party hopes to win seats in the October 26 election to push through its economic plans without needing votes from allies.
