Seven in 10 Argentinians in Spain voted Javier Milei last November 19th. In total 7,765 expatriates resident Argentinians Spain They saw the then candidate and the current anarcho-capitalist president as a beacon of hope for their longed-for and worn-out homeland. However, it is difficult to conclude from these data that those who support Milei are in the majority among foreigners. share It was too low. He made it round 10% of the censusAccording to sources from the Argentine embassy.
Those who chose the controversial president’s ticket in Spain mostly had clear reasons: to avoid a new Kirchnerian government and to find a solution that would stimulate the economy. In some cases this is a convinced vote; In others, a protest votebut in any case it was a vote in the mood for change. Those whose opponents voted center-left Sergio MassaThey fear that the new Government will choose to abolish this system. social rights.
Martin De Luca He is 40 years old and left home 21 years ago. Buenos Aires I was born in a time of serious crisis. “There were very few possibilities at the time, so I decided to go on an adventure,” he says. His story is similar to that of many others who packed their bags in the “rock bottom” decade at the turn of the millennium. He then says: “They dispersed AIDS left and right.” “A lot has happened over the years corruption and the unions have become like mafia”. Rosario Mendieta Years later, in 2016, he left Argentina, where he had known the same panorama. “The country is going through a serious process” Economic crisismore than enough inflationand it showed strongly every month loss of purchasing power“, He remembers this 32-year-old from Buenos Aires.
Despite the passage of time, the country Martín and Rosario remember is not far from the country they left a year ago. Danila Stamati And Cecilia Peveri. “Levels poverty and inflation reached historic highs, wages in pesos (measured in dollars) became increasingly devalued, foreign exchange restrictions, ever-increasing taxes, price controls, insecurity…”, comments Stamati. Danila is also from Buenos Aires, 39 years old and has a degree in Business Administration. In the same economic context, 34-year-old Peveri, also from Buenos Aires, left his hometown eight months ago.
image of change
Some also see a silver lining in the La Libertad Avanza candidate, as do the majority of his fellow citizens, especially the 56% of those who voted for him across the pond. “Milei represents the possibility of change that no one has dared to make until now. Argentina has been in a crisis for many years. populist political structure and people were tired,” says De Luca, who also warns that his arrival at Casa Rosada was a “two-way street” because it could lead to arguments about rights. abortion.
This is what those who do not support him fear most. “Milei started cutting all the ingredients social rights This law, which relates to women and the LGTBI community, eliminated the Ministry of Women and passed the omnibus bill, parts of which directly attack the abortion law,” Peveri laments.
“We should not forget that there is no solution to the problems Argentina is experiencing in the short and medium term. effort by people. It will take time for everything to fall into place,” says Stamati. Some of his recent decisions have caused thousands of people to take to the streets in protest. “Many people are against Milei because the newspapers sell it as “Newspapers” far right at the level Trump and Bolsonaro but I don’t think that’s the case,” says De Luca.
Stamati believes that “the economic policies proposed by Milei can solve the inflation problem and provide long-term growth. Although it is difficult to govern as a minority.” They rivals They fear that this growth will come at the expense of social rights. “The relentless progress of privatization, investment The increase in health and education and the increase in taxes are disarming the population. Milei deducts workers, not caste,” complains Mendieta.
Bills
Ultra-liberal Javier Milei, who completed one month in government on January 10, counts dozens of change initiatives he has already begun to develop. Controversial Decree of Need and Urgency (A shock plan with 300 regulatory measures, deregulation and labor reform), Downsizing the state structure or the new public order doctrine are only part of the plans for change.
“DNU is a very ambitious shock project and very much in line with what it promises. emergency plan It will definitely be effective. However, it proposes highly controversial measures that are sure to attract great resistance from groups. rivalsAgrees Stamati, who notes that “it would be a big challenge if the person governing is not a Peronist.” De Luca agrees, adding: “For change to happen, something will have to be done differently.”
These policies led to demonstrations among Argentinians both in Argentina and abroad. “Their policies will lead to conflicts in all sectors; they not only affect the opposition, women’s groups or LGTBI groups, but they also affect all Argentines because they are attacking the education sector, the health sector, etc.,” Peveri replies.
“Although it constantly suffers, Argentina economic crisishas always had a strong power. social mobilization This has brought it great successes such as free university education, and I hope this Government manages to strengthen the critical spirit of the people and the protests succeed in defending these sentiments. historical conquestsMendieta expresses it wistfully. “I am worried about finding a country where rights have been eliminated, but this will only be seen with time,” Peveri adds.