Three British publications pick Milei as one of the top world leaders of 2025

Argentine President Javier Milei came in third in a list of top world leaders of 2025 compiled by a panel of editorial experts at British newspaper The Telegraph.  The ranking, which was published on January 1, had Moldovan President Maia Sandu first and Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni second. In a separate ranking based on votes by the publication’s readers, the libertarian economist came in second, after Meloni.  The Telegraph is not the only British outlet praising the Argentine leader. In mid-December, The Economist named Argentina as its second “country of the year for 2025” — after Syria — in its traditional Christmas listing of nations “that have improved the most,” published on December 18. Magazine MoneyWeek completed the trio of British publications that hailed Milei’s leadership, as a readers’ poll, published on December 31, ranked him as the second most influential world leader of 2025.  The president himself highlighted these recognitions in a post on X, with his traditional quip: FENÓMENO BARRIAL (local phenomenon), a disparaging remark he received when he first entered into politics. The president’s press office also sent out a release, saying, “MoneyWeek, The Economist, and The Telegraph ranked him among the three most relevant leaders in their lists, solidifying his international profile and positioning him as a key figure on the global political stage.”  Praises The Telegraph panellists praised Milei’s “progress at turning around the fortunes of Argentina’s economy through lowering inflation.” They also highlighted a significant reduction in poverty, which “has reduced from 50 to 31 percent under Mr. Milei’s leadership.” According to a report by the Social Debt Observatory from the Argentine Catholic University in early December, poverty dropped to 36% during the third quarter of 2025 in Argentina. More access to credit was also cited by some of the Telegraph readers. “While there is still a long way to go and credit is not yet available to everyone, the improvement is very noticeable. All of this in just two years. I am currently paying off my first car,” said Olliver Robinson. “Milei kept his word, unlike many politicians,” added one of the editors at the paper. However, not all were praises. Another Telegraph panelist warned that his “chainsaw” reduction of the state means the country will have fewer “hospitals, police forces, and nurses.”  The article in The Economist also noted that the president has “many flaws: he is intolerant of critics and beset by corruption scandals.” However, it also said that “if his reforms are sustained, they could permanently alter Argentina’s trajectory — and give hope to economic reformers everywhere.”