Politics

Milei shocks opponents with proposal to refound Argentina

Buenos Aires, Mar 1 (EFE).- A speech by Argentina’s libertarian leader Javier Milei in the National Congress on Friday went from condemning the inheritance received from the previous government to a surprise proposal of a national pact to refound the country.

After what many considered rude when, upon assuming the presidency, he chose to give his inaugural speech in the street, with his back to the Legislative headquarters, Milei’s speech was highly anticipated, especially after the failure of his so-called ‘omnibus law.’

And, after detailing the “worst inheritance that any government in Argentinian history has ever received” and listing the achievements of his administration throughout its 82 days in power, Milei began to look to the future because, as he once said: “When we encounter an obstacle, we are not going to turn back – we are going to continue accelerating.”

With that provocative phrase and cheered on from the boxes, the president made it clear that the parliamentary failure of his omnibus law has not affected him much, although he did acknowledge that he preferred to “withdraw it” before “approving a half-empty project.”

For this reason, he surprised with a double pirouette: he summoned governors and leaders of political forces to the joint signing of the May Pact, a document to refound Argentina with 10 State policies; but first they must accept the Bases Law and a “fiscal relief package for the provinces.”

In the background of this double proposal is the recent fight between the president and the provincial governors due to the fiscal adjustment and the funding cuts that the State must send to the territories, which led to a request for “dialogue” and “respect” on the part of the local councilors in the face of Milei’s frequent outbursts and disqualifying messages towards them.

For the moment, he has welcomed dialogue in a joint event on May 25, National Day, in the city of Córdoba to seal the May Pact, which includes some of the measures promoted by the government and with which it seeks to deregulate the economy and reduce the presence of the State to a minimum.

Among them, the inviolability of private property; the “non-negotiable” fiscal balance; the reduction of public spending by around 25 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP); tax reform that reduces tax pressure; and the review of the co-participation scheme (State-provinces).

The president did not refer to foreign policy or his plan to privatize public companies, although he did confirm that the government will close the state news agency Télam, founded in 1945 and which, since the electoral campaign, had been in the spotlight of the libertarians.

The session was chaired by the vice president and head of the Senate Victoria Villarruel, and the president of the Chamber of Deputies Martín Menem. In addition, more than a dozen provincial governors and Milei’s entire cabinet attended, except for the chancellor, Diana Mondino.

Milei’s speech was interrupted by numerous shouts and applause from his supporters, who also sang at various points.

Social and political organizations opposed to Milei’s proposals mixed in the street with many of his followers, who applauded the leader who surprised the nation on Friday with his proposal to refound Argentina. EFE

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