Ultraliberal Javier Milli’s first month as president of Argentina has been marked by unprecedented reformist hyperactivity, which has been met with harsh criticism for the moment, but has had almost no impact on the country’s uncertain political, economic and social landscape.
“No money!” Miley issued the warning in her first presidential speech, delivered on December 10 on the steps of the National Convention and with her back to the House of Representatives. In it he outlined what his economic plan has been so far: ‘shocks’.
With it, he intends to make Argentina a “world power” in the next half century.
Its recipe is drastic cuts in state spending, complete deregulation and accumulation of legislative powers by the executive.
To this end, Milli, who won a runoff against the then economy minister, Sergio Massa, on November 19, has presented two controversial packages of measures in less than a month.
The first, the Decree of Necessity and Urgency (DNU), signed on December 20 and announced on prime time television, contemplates the amendment of more than 300 legal regulations.
Among its endless ramifications, the ‘megadecree’ – which comes into force on the 29th – will allow the privatization of state companies, repeal environmental laws and open the door for football clubs to become sports corporations.
At the moment, Miley’s DNU faces several obstacles.
First in parliament, where his party, La Libertad Avanza, will need the support of other groups to advance.
Second, the streets, which are already the scene of many protests sponsored by the General Confederation of Labor (CGT) and other social and union organizations. The country’s largest labor union has called a half-day general strike on January 24, and 22 years after the 2001 crisis, ‘pot bangs’ are once again composing the country’s soundtrack.
But it is the judicial obstruction that has frustrated the executive’s plans the most. Last week, the National Chamber of Labor Appeals issued two precautionary measures against the DNU temporarily suspending the labor reforms contained in the decree.
To try to avoid these processes, Millay soon announced a bill with more than 600 articles.
If approved, the so-called ‘omnibus law’ would give the executive legislative ‘super powers’ until the end of 2025, when Argentina emerges from the multiple crises the project diagnoses.
The controversial plan must also pass through Congress, where it has faced criticism from the left, Peronism and the more moderate wing of the center-right coalition Together for Change.
Certainly the leader of this space and Miley’s former rival in the October presidential election, Patricia Bullrich, as security minister, is the main guarantor of the government’s new approach to the matter, which is characterized by its seriousness in limiting mobility.
However, the ‘shock’ has so far had little effect on Argentina’s battered pockets, even after a very strong devaluation of the Argentine peso initiated by Economy Minister Luis Caputo, who has seen inflation skyrocket. Start of command.
The presidential spokesman, Manuel Adorni, recently admitted in his daily press conference at the Casa Rosada that the price increase figure could exceed 30% in the last month of 2023, which would put the cumulative figure around 200% and push Argentina forward. Hyperinflation.
Apart from this, Millie continues to offer her particular ‘show’. The president has appeared on television and radio in the country, offering a more moderate face than during the campaign.
On at least three occasions, Miley waved from the Casa Rosada’s iconic balcony, the last on Monday with her partner, comedian Fatima Florez, who accompanied her on the postponed ‘Presidential Walk’ that day from the Hotel Libertador to the Quinta. de Olivos (official residence), outside Buenos Aires.
In the elections of the Boca Juniors club – of which he is a supporter – – hours after the death of 13 people in Bahía Blanca (province of Buenos Aires) due to a rain storm and wind; Or when he went to his girlfriend’s imitation show at a theater in Mar del Plata.
After Florez’s performance, Miley took to the stage and kissed him passionately before warning the Argentines of a bitter near future.
“It’s going to be a tough few months to come, but we’re going to get up,” said Miley, who began walking with firm steps on very shaky ground.
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