Milei & Argentine Democracy: A Delegative Shift
Javier Milei‘s first year as Argentina‘s president sparks a critical interrogation of the nation’s democratic health.This in-depth analysis explores the use of emergency decrees, the shrinking of government and the increasing concentration of power within the executive branch leading to a delegative shift. The rise in delegative tendencies under Milei, alongside his drastic economic policies, is dissected, examining whether these changes signal a broader trend challenging Argentina’s democratic foundation. News Directory 3 provides insights into the potential for democratic erosion. Discover what the future holds for Argentina’s democracy.
Milei’s First Year: Is Argentina’s Democracy Eroding?
Updated June 22, 2025
Argentina’s new president, Javier Milei, has triggered both high inflation and intense debate over the future of Argentine democracy. Milei, an ultra-liberal economist, initiated a shock therapy approach to the nation’s economic crisis, marked by a important reduction in the state apparatus. His cabinet has shrunk from 19 ministries under his predecessor to just nine. While streamlining government isn’t inherently undemocratic, it has stirred political and economic controversy.
Many scholars now fear for Argentina’s democratic stability. Concerns stem not only from Milei’s cuts to public sector jobs, but also from his approach to political institutions. According to the V-Dem Codebook, the president has gained political power illegitimately, resulting in a less democratic habitat. This shift is largely attributed to Milei’s 50 emergency decrees (DNUs) issued during his first year,particularly those tied to his economic programme. The Argentine constitution permits these decrees in “exceptional circumstances,” and they initially bypass Congressional approval.
Milei has kept his promise to change the country, even without political support, using all legal resources available to the executive branch.The overuse of DNUs,combined with his drastic economic policies,has been described as a delegative phenomenon.
Government attacks on the judiciary have decreased, but judicial independence has fallen significantly. In December 2024, Milei’s administration threatened to appoint two Supreme Court judges by decree, including one accused of misconduct, causing widespread outrage. The executive order to appoint the judges followed in february 2025.
Milei’s unconventional style fits the description of a political “enfant terrible.” He has repeatedly declared his government the best in Argentine history. While data is lacking, trends in other countries suggest Milei’s persona is perceived as exceptional. However, a strong leader alone does not define a delegative democracy; it requires a combination of factors.
while Argentina might potentially be generally autocratizing, it’s critically important to put milei’s impact into perspective. His approach to political institutions is harsh, but Argentina faces a corruption problem. Milei’s ambitions to restructure institutions may stem from a desire to de-democratize the country. The use of DNUs is not uncommon in Argentina. Néstor Kirchner issued 236 DNUs during his presidency. The question is whether Milei has made Argentine democracy more delegative,reflecting a worsening normality of democratic dysfunctionality.
The degree of “delegativeness” has increased, with less horizontal accountability and a more powerful president. Although attacks on the judiciary decreased, argentina’s democratic reality is converging with the concept of delegative democracy. The follow-up question is what is to come.
What’s next
Milei’s term ends in December 2027, with a possibility of re-election until 2031. Future data will be crucial to assess whether the downward trend in democratic quality continues.argentina’s constitution limits presidential power, guarantees institutional resilience, and decentralizes political authority.It is hoped that delegative democracy will remain a specter of the past, and that contemporary Argentine democracy will remain intact.