Two months after libertarian firebrand Javier Milei was elected president of Latam basket case Argentina, pledging to overtake the financial system and brazenly warning a interval of brutal austerity and ache is coming, the preliminary euphoria is fading quick and is being change with the shock and horror of what comes subsequent. And positive sufficient, within the largest present of resistance up to now towards Milei, Argentinian staff on Wednesday took to the streets for a normal strike, bringing swaths of downtown Buenos Aires to a standstill.
In what has been referred to as an “unprecedented mobilization” by no means earlier than in trendy Argentinian historical past has a mass strike been referred to as lower than seven weeks into a brand new presidency. However leaders from Argentina’s largest labor union – the blokes who’re used to a gentle drip of handouts from the federal government – mentioned the nationwide protests replicate the urgency they really feel as Milei pursues radical financial and political reforms he likens to “shock remedy”.
1000’s of (most labor union) protesters swarmed the sq. in entrance of Argentina’s Congress on Wednesday, denouncing Milei’s sweeping plans to overtake the federal government, privatize public industries and slash spending. Some banged pots and carried indicators accusing Milei of being a “traitor”. Different banners featured the portrait of working-class icon Evita Peron.
Elizabeth Gutierrez made her option to the gathering after working an in a single day shift as a nurse. She defined she was motivated by steep will increase in meals costs since Milei took workplace.
“Earlier than we used to have asados [barbecues] each Sunday. Not now. Even rice may be very costly,” Gutierrez mentioned. “Rents have shot up. You may’t stay off your wage any extra: It’s not sufficient” she raged including that “the individuals are right here to defend their nation.”
Nicely, right here’s the issue: the nation has been bled dry by corrupt politicians, and the one factor that may save it’s the most aggressive belt tightening in a long time. And whereas Milei is attempting it, he’s about to seek out out simply how a lot pushback his plans will trigger, and the way unattainable it is going to be for his bold plan looking for to finish the federal government’s parasistism of the financial system, to succeed.
One other protester, 63-year-old retiree Alicia Pereyra, voiced opposition to Milei’s efforts to decontrol the financial system, together with plans to “modernise” labour regulation and ditch hire regulation. “He needs us to be slaves,” Pereyra mentioned.
Learn Extra: “Traitor”: Argentina Paralyzed By Strikes As 1000’s Protest Milei’s “Shock Remedy”
