Milei pitches Argentina’s ‘abundant energy’ to Europe at investment roadshow

President Javier Milei told European investors in Paris on Thursday that Argentina has “abundant energy” far from conflict zones and declared himself “optimistic” about winning re-election in 2027.

Milei, who has been in France since Wednesday seeking investment, is facing doubts about his chances in next year’s election for an economy that has stabilised, but whose recovery and benefits have been slow to materialise – raising doubts about the outcome of the presidential election in a year’s time.

Leading a large delegation of ministers and provincial governors to the French capital, Milei was greeted with applause by dozens of potential investors at the headquarters of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for a keynote speech. 

His address marked the second day of ‘Argentina Week,’ the government’s travelling investment roadshow.

“Over the past few years, Europe has learned how costly it is to depend on unreliable suppliers. That is why I have come here to tell you that Argentina can and will offer you abundant energy from a peaceful region aligned with Western values and far from any kind of conflict,” he said.

The President highlighted Argentina’s reserves of copper, lithium, and uranium, as well as the “legal certainty” available to mining companies and a “competitive” agricultural sector that is not an “enemy” of European farmers – a reference to opposition in Europe to the recently agreed Mercosur-European Union trade agreement.

Milei argued that Argentina has "everything necessary" to be a "leader" in artificial intelligence, citing its energy, critical minerals and human capital. 

In the preceding speech, Economy Minister Luis Caputo pitched the government's RIGI incentive scheme, which offers tax and customs benefits for major investors.

During an hour-long speech to diplomats and business representatives, Milei defended his economic policies and three years of austerity in an address that at times resembled an election rally ahead of Argentina’s 2027 election. 

The trip comes with Milei’s popularity at its lowest level since taking office, according to polling, with disapproval at around 55 to 60 percent.

“We are very optimistic about what is coming next year. At the same time, we know we are sitting in the electric chair, we know the constraints, but we play better than them and we are going to win,” the President said, while criticising what he called the “economic shamanism” of his opponents.

As is his custom, Milei also praised some of his top officials, highlighting what he called “the enormous performance of Argentina’s best Economy Minister, Luis Caputo, the governor of the Central Bank, Santiago Bausili, and the Foreign Minister, Pablo Quirno.”

Milei reassured investors that if his government is re-elected, "2028 will be the best economic year in our history," promising a "miracle" if re-elected with a congressional majority. "The time to bet on Argentina is now,” he declared.

He also rejected calls for a return to what he described as a “plan platita” – increased government spending ahead of next year's elections to win support – and said he would not change course. 

“Populism is not fought with more populism, but with more freedom and greater orthodoxy,” he said.

The President claimed that the previous Argentina Week had generated investment announcements worth more than US$16 billion and expressed hope that this year's event would prove more fruitful. 

Since the self-described "anarcho-capitalist" economist took office in late 2023, annual inflation has fallen from 161 percent to 33 percent, public finances have been brought into balance and foreign-currency reserves have been partially rebuilt.

But almost three years of austerity have hit industry, employment and consumption, with many Argentines struggling to reach the end of the month. Poverty rose in the first half of 2026, affecting almost one in three, while the economy contracted by 0.6 percent between April and June.

– TIMES/AFP/NA