The
reconfiguration of politics
around the figure of Javier Milei was a certain possibility, but it was projected at a stage in which the Government had already managed to approve the reforms in Congress and with the first results of the libertarian program, based on a strong adjustment, a deregulation of the economy so that the market is the great computer and a reformulation of the State.
Although the small number of libertarian deputies -38 out of 257- and senators -7 out of 72- to approve a law was evident, it was wrongly assumed that the Law of Bases and Starting Points for the Freedom of Argentines with more than 600 articles would bring behind a meticulous and detailed work about the number of favorable votes that the ruling party would have, and how to negotiate with each sector to achieve the majority.
It was not so.
There was nothing to predict that
58 days after his inauguration
, Milei would be left without his first law, something that
had never happened to a new government
, which usually arrives with the push of electoral victory.
In the case of the Government, the momentum was there, and would continue to be there, but
the policy was lacking.
“Politics is the tool that allows the interests of all sectors to be put on the table, and conclude in a positive result based on an agreement in which everyone takes a part
,” summarizes a legislator with several parliamentary battles on his back.
Beyond the discursive, or the strategy of always having an “enemy” at hand, the presidential attack on the governors omits a reality: just as in the runoff 56% chose Milei to assume the presidency, all the governors were elected by the vote of their members, some of them even by higher percentages.
The only meeting that Milei had with the governors.
It is not about simple empathy, but about contemplating that the recession with inflation impacts the entire country.
“
The provinces have the same problems as the nation
.
We have to cushion the cost of joint ventures with teachers, with health personnel, with security members and we are defunding ourselves
,” says a provincial leader.
Some governors admit that they may not start classes on time.
The criticism of the provinces points, for example, to the decision without consultation, later removed from the extinct omnibus law, to apply 15% withholdings to all productive sectors, as well as the PAIS tax, but which went entirely to the coffers of the nation and there was nothing left for the districts.
“We need to have something that compensates for this adjustment, with different impacts depending on the province, but we all have the same economic problems as Milei
,” emphasizes an official from an inland province.
Milei's decision to fire government officials who respond to governors who did not follow the law, and to hold a popular consultation even if it is not binding,
multiplies the cracks
.
The historical era between
Kirchnerists and anti-Kirchnerists
;
Now the ruling party proposes
those who support and the traitors
.
And a third version,
society versus the political class or "caste"
.
All against all.
Apparently, what Milei would seek in this way is
to project his figure and give him greater leadership
compared to the rest.
But the non-binding popular consultation, although it is something purely symbolic, can be decisive for the future of his government.