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Argentina’s President Javier Millay has left a political storm in Madrid after Spain’s right-wing opposition sided with him in a spat with the country’s prime minister.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of Spain’s Socialist Party on Monday demanded an apology from Mr. Millay for describing his wife as corrupt at a far-right conference over the weekend. Following the Argentine leader’s comments, Spain recalled its ambassador from Buenos Aires for consultations.
Spain’s opposition party, led by the conservative People’s Party (PP), countered that Sanchez was wrong to turn the dispute into a diplomatic dispute.
Millay also forced damage control on several major Spanish companies on Monday after meeting with company executives during a trip to Spain, shunning Sanchez and calling socialism a “cancer.” did. Spain is Argentina’s second largest foreign investor.
The Argentine president was the featured guest at a far-right conference organized by Spain’s Vox party, which was also attended by European politicians including France’s Marine Le Pen.
Millay’s comments referred to a judge’s decision last month to open a preliminary investigation into Sanchez’s wife, Begoña Gómez, on suspicion of spreading influence. The move, prompted by complaints from far-right-linked groups, gave Sanchez five days to “reflect” on whether he wanted to continue as prime minister.
Sanchez has said the supposed wrongdoing is “non-existent” and Gomez has not spoken out about the allegations. He has since described himself and his wife as victims of a right-wing “mud-slinging” campaign dating back 10 years.
Sanchez said on Monday that Milay did not speak on behalf of the Argentine people and called for a “public apology” from Milay.
The conservative People’s Party, which was not present at the rally, criticized the prime minister’s response.
PP Deputy Secretary General Esteban González Pons said: “With all due respect, Pedro Sánchez’s wife is not a national issue and it is a gross exaggeration to make her the reason for the possible severance of diplomatic relations between Spain and Argentina.” said.
Conservative Party leader Alberto Nuñez Feijó also blamed the government, saying, “I don’t think Mr. Sánchez is in a position to teach foreign policy lessons.”
Feijo argued that the altercation may have been caused by Sanchez’s government in the first place, after Transport Minister Oscar Puente suggested during a television appearance before Milley’s visit that Milley had “taken drugs”. did.
Argentina’s Interior Minister Guillermo Francos said on Sunday that Milay’s apology was inappropriate because “the insult came from the Sánchez government.”
Since taking office in December last year, Milley has pursued an unusual foreign policy that prioritizes far-right allies over diplomatic convention.
Shortly after welcoming Secretary of State Antony Blinken in February, the Argentine president flew to Washington to speak at a conservative political convention, where he was filmed telling President Donald Trump he wanted him back in the White House.
Vox leader Santiago Abascal accused the PP of not doing enough against Sánchez. He said he had spoken to Millais in the last few hours and told her he would give her “full support.”
Major Spanish companies, including BBVA Bank and Telefonica, quickly distanced themselves from Millay’s comments.
“We categorically reject any out-of-touch statements . . . and defy the prime minister and his wife,” said Antonio Garamendi, head of CEOE, Spain’s main business lobby. .
BBVA said Millay’s political rally was “completely unrelated to the business meeting that took place on Saturday.” Telefonica said the meeting focused on technical and economic issues and took place in an “atmosphere of cooperation and constructive dialogue.”
Santander, whose CEO Hector Grisi attended the meeting, declined to comment.
Additional reporting by Ciara Nugent and Michael Stott
