Milei says Europe 'is sinking' ahead of trip to France

President Javier Milei has painted a bleak picture of Europe's future ahead of a visit to France, saying the continent was "sinking" because of overregulation, migration and "wokeism."

In an interview with French broadcaster LCI aired Monday, Argentina's head of state said Europeans disliked his ally Donald Trump because he tells the "truth about how it [Europe] is sinking."

Milei argued Europe was being dragged down by a "perverse welfare state," excessive regulation and a "terrible migration problem," while "wokeism" had "caused a disaster."

The word “woke” is frequently used by some conservative sectors as a derogatory label to criticise progressive policies.

"If people do not wake up to this reality, Europe will cease to be what it once represented for the West," said Milei.

The La Libertad Avanza leader singled out Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and former Hungarian premier Viktor Orban as among the few European politicians who "understood this situation perfectly."

Describing a world divided between the US, Russia and China, Milei said he had "aligned" Argentina with Washington and Israel, which he said best embody "the values that made the West great."

“Europe is a big question mark because we do not know what it will become in light of the political, economic and demographic problems it faces,” he stressed.

He also argued "the capital of Europe is not Brussels" but Rome, "because of history."

Brussels, home to the EU's main institutions "embodies Europe's decline, the 'woke' vision, the vision of the welfare state and the slow march towards socialism," Milei said. "It is a death full of suffering, slow and lacking courage."

During the interview, Milei also doubled down on Argentina's claim to the Malvinas Islands, known in the UK as the Falkland Islands, saying Buenos Aires sought their return from the UK through diplomacy, not military action.

Milei is due to visit France from September 30 to October 2, where he will open "Argentina Week" – an event aimed at promoting investment opportunities.

Despite his criticism of Europe, Milei praised ties with France and said he had "an excellent relationship" with President Emmanuel Macron.

Milei's remarks come as far-right parties are gaining ground in Europe’s major countries, including Germany, the United Kingdom and France.