Milei confirms addition of José Luis Espert to La Libertad Avanza

President Javier Milei has confirmed that libertarian economist José Luis Espert is now joining his La Libertad Avanza party.

With a warm embrace, both libertarian leaders – who were once close allies – announced the news that Espert, who formerly ran under his own Avanza Libertad ticket in Buenos Aires Province before joining the Juntos por el Cambio coalition last year, would be entering the fold.

“Welcome to the forces of heaven,” the head of state told the deputy. He gave him a black cap with the slogan. 

In turn, Espert stated: “I’m happy to join Javier in this change we are making for all Argentines."

“Argentina has to work, I’m very confident. What’s happening with Javier gives meaning to what we started in 2019, what we continued together in 2020, and finally took form in 2023," he added.

In the same vein, he concluded: “Liberalism went from being non-existant to having a liberal president. How can I not join him? We’re going to support him.”

Milei and Espert’s relationship has had its ups and down along the 10 years since they have first met. The economy and their occupation in common were the factors that initially brought them together. 

Milei backed Espert until June 2021, before telling him he would rather forge his own path with La Libertad Avanza, the label he used to run for elected office in Buenos Aires City that same year.

After the new space came about, the tensions between both leaders became obvious, though neither of them acknowledged it publicly. 

Espert eventually Juntos por el Cambio, in an alliance with former Buenos Aires City mayor Horacio Rodríguez Larreta, and competed in the primary against Patricia Bullrich's ticket in Buenos Aires Province. 

After Bullrich’s triumph, he backed her candidacy. When she failed to make the presidential run-off, Espert voiced his support for Milei.

– TIMES/NA