Everything was so dizzying Argentinians coming to power far right Javier Milei It seems like it happened a long time ago. But his presidency began with a speech he gave with his back to Congress on December 10, and this speech takes on a different meaning at this point. Beyond the rejection of the traditional political leadership from which he partly draws to govern, Milei He announced his dream of radically changing the economic and social structure of the country without institutional counterweights.
Her Decree of Necessity and Urgency (DNU) Among other tools, it gives powers beyond the role of Parliament. DNU has had two partial setbacks in the courts and must pass the filter of the legislature’s bicameral committee.
There are two ways to screw it up completely. Judicial: When a court suspends entire articles or declares them unconstitutional. The other scenario is Congress, where no ordinance has ever been rejected before. President threatens to call for now referendum To legitimize his radical measures, while the ghost of the former Peruvian autocrat lurks around him. Alberto FujimoriOn April 5, 1992, he dissolved Congress with the support of the Armed Forces to advance his reform plan and deregulation of the economy.
On that distant December 10, Milei realized: in the first months of his administration It would be difficult but necessary To find a ray of light at the end of the tunnel. There was no choice but to leave it behind century of “collectivism”. Temporary fee to be paid hyperinflation30% and higher per month povertyBefore reaching Executive, this rate was 45%. Those who oppose the DNU and its shock plan are all “nostalgic communists”. Upon these warnings, the Minister of Economy said, Luis ‘Toto’ Caputodevalued national currency. Days ago, Milei gave more detailed information about the moment when the fruits of his package will be seen: “I have one Good news: Improvement will be seen after 15 years”. Imagination anarcho-capitalist It is leafy and allows it to reflect unfounded calculations to the public. In 45 years, he also guaranteed: GDP will increase 10 times Yes Argentina It does not go beyond the specified path.
DNU’s war
The mother of his victory was the DNU on December 20 and its 366 articles recommended privatize state assetsrelease business relationshipsenough to set a limit right to strike, the maternity leave And compensationchange your rules domestic and foreign tradeUse of airspace, few rules environmental protectionhealth policy, tourism, mining, automotive regime and even sportBy enabling the purchase of clubs and resale of show tickets. The government also wants this law to be repealed. land law and creates the conditions so that star connectioncompany Elon Musk, A sympathizer of Milei’s ideas, he competes in the internet business. Never before had the name of a kingpin been mentioned based on a decree.
Call omnibus law, The one later sent to Parliament moves in the same transformative direction. It gives the executive branch greater authority than Magna Carta designed to overthrow the traditional operation of economic, fiscal, financial activities, state pensions and pensions. cultural activityactually a useless hobby recommending the elimination National Theater InstituteHE National Endowment for the Arts. It is also trying to limit unrest on the streets. If a union or social action affects free movement or public services, it can be punished with a prison sentence of up to six years.
foreseeable obstacles
The far right faces obstacles not only in the courts it promises to resolve, but also among lawmakers and senators. The “necessity” and “urgency” of the measures are vital for the Government because sooner or later it may come into conflict with the EU. social patience. Despite new safety standardsNo president before Milei has heard so much protest and mobilization in his first month. labor movement He planned his first general strike on January 24.
Some pollsters report that the presidential figure’s popularity is falling rapidly. Others estimate that large portions of the population were stunned by the results Last Peronist administrationThey are still willing to be part of the Milei experiment, which resulted in 140% annual inflation. Center of Argentine Workers (CTA), within one month 15% of purchasing power. The minimum wage is 26.7 percent below December 2019 and 43.5 percent compared to the same month in 2015. The far right’s electoral victory emerged from this deep-seated disappointment.
Military service question
One of the biggest political developments coming to an end this month concerns the military issue, which has remained unimportant since the 90s. According to the portal ‘La Política Online’ ““Unrest in the army” for retirement 23 generals There was “fear” in the Navy due to the opening of the Argentine sea to foreign ships. General’s appointment as head of ground troops Alberto Presti It attracted the attention of human rights organizations. This is the late colonel’s son. Roque PrestiLawyer Pablo Llonto, who actively participated in the repressive events of the 60s, stated that although “a son does not have to answer for the actions of his father”, this is an “alarming” fact.
In this context, wives, sisters and mothers of men in old uniforms, crimes against humanity They demanded that Milei and vice president Victoria Villarruel fulfill “promises” “To the relatives of the victims” judicial terrorism“to get them out of jail or end their house arrest.” Villarruel, daughter of a colonel who participated in the attack counter-guerrilla war in the 60s and Battle of the MalvinasHe was one of the voices publicly demanding the same thing before taking office.
The vice president was to have a decisive role in Defense and Security but was relegated to bureaucratic duties in the Senate. He started a private meeting with the former president Mauricio Macri, The person who was vital to Milei’s election victory but was subsequently excluded from the Government’s major political decisions. They would unite due to their discomfort with the leader of the far right and their desire to rule in absolute solitude.
Rodolfo BarraFormer minister of Carlos Menem (1989-99) He confessed his youthful Nazi past and the current attorney general has justified Milei’s tendency to assert the weight of his authority in his special role both in the enforcement of the law and in the design of the navigation route. “Our president is a king-like figure“said Barra.