As per reports, Argentine President Javier Milei is undertaking a three-day visit to Paris from Wednesday (30 September) to Friday (02 October) to participate in the second edition of ‘Argentina Week’ (Semaine Argentine), an economic forum aimed at promoting Argentine investment potential and attracting international investors.
• The visit has prompted planned protest activity in Paris, with civic organisations and opposition groups calling for demonstrations coinciding with President Javier Milei’s presence in the French capital.
• His visit to Paris marks his fourth trip to France and is centred on the Argentina Week economic forum, which he is personally promoting. During the visit, he is scheduled to receive a distinction from the Paris Economic Forum, which intends to designate him as one of the ‘two most influential economists in the world.’
• The visit has generated significant opposition in France. The Assemblée des citoyens argentins en France (ACAF), an association of Argentine citizens in France, has called on Paris City Hall to declare President Javier Milei persona non grata’ in the French capital.
• The ACAF has called for a protest gathering on Wednesday (30 September) in front of the Argentine Embassy in Paris. Around 50 French politicians, intellectuals and artists have also signed a petition on the same grounds.
• Youth organisations and left-wing student groups are also reported to be planning street protests to coincide with Argentine President Javier Milei’s arrival and activities in Paris.
• The protests take place in a context of heightened diplomatic tension generated by remarks made by President Javier Milei in the days prior to his arrival.
• In a television interview broadcast on French channel LCI on 21 September, he criticised the European model as ‘sinking’ due to what he described as excessive regulation, a ‘perverse welfare state,’ a ‘terrible migration problem’ and ‘wokism.’
• At the UN General Assembly on 23 September, he described the United Nations as a ‘useless organisation that only serves to feed a caste of parasites, fatally arrogant, disguised as well-meaning bureaucrats.’ These remarks have drawn public criticism in France and sharpened the environment ahead of his visit.
Categories: Civil Disturbances - Non-political Protests
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