2023-11-18 04:01:49
Published18. November 2023, 05:01
Elections in Argentina: Will the ultra-right come to power with a chainsaw?
Who should govern Argentina in the future: the moderate current economics minister or the “anarcho-capitalist” with the chainsaw? Despite all warnings, the people might bring the unpredictable Javier Milei to power.
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Javier Milei (center) is co-founder and head of the alliance La Libertad Avanza (Freedom Advances).
REUTERS
The admirer of former US President Donald Trump and self-proclaimed anarcho-capitalist wants to abolish Argentina’s central bank, drastically reduce government spending and halve the number of ministries.
AFP
On the other side is the ruling Peronist candidate, Economy Minister Sergio Massa.
AFP
That’s what it’s regarding
On Sunday, the Argentine economy minister will face a self-proclaimed anarcho-capitalist in the runoff election.
The ultra-right Javier Milei wants to reduce the state apparatus and abolish all benefits.
The electorate is not afraid of the radical Milei – on the contrary.
Next Sunday Argentina will elect the next president and then it will be regarding a question that is still causing despair for many people in the country. Who do they want in power for the next four years: the ultra-right newcomer Javier Milei or the current economics minister Sergio Massa, who cannot get the staggering inflation of over 142 percent under control?
A look at the election program of the ultra-liberal populist Milei: The anarcho-capitalist, as he describes himself, is an enemy of the state, doesn’t believe in financial allowances or regulations and also doesn’t believe in children’s or workers’ rights. Milei wants to abolish Argentina’s central bank and replace the peso with the US dollar. He admires Donald Trump and Margaret Thatcher and is committed to eradicating the “parasitic political caste” in the country.
Ministries? Away with it!
He staged his election campaign like a show by waving a chainsaw around during his appearances (this is intended to cut all allowances) or theatrically explaining on TV shows how he would reform the state: cutting out graphics in which all the ministries were listed he got through 75 percent of the offices while shouting: “Get rid of it!”
On the other side is Sergio Massa, who is part of the current government, under which around 40 percent of the people in the once rich country fell below the poverty line, with the national currency, the peso, continuing to lose value once morest the US dollar and the mountain of debt growth.
“I want a change”
“I don’t care who comes, just not another four years like the last few,” says 49-year-old shop owner Julio to 20 Minutes.
According to the latest polls, the ultra-right candidate is likely to win with 53 percent of the vote. Does the radical Milei not scare people? Aren’t you surprised that he asks his dog Conan, who died in 2017, for advice on important decisions or that he doesn’t know much regarding the state’s business? “I want a change,” says gymnastics teacher Viviana, who is regarding to retire. Milei finds her “sympathetic” with his sometimes insecure, sometimes aggressive statements, she says.
This choice will be decided by your gut, not your head
Milei also has many followers among the younger generations. “My son is voting for Milei,” 63-year-old Victor shakes his head. He himself will choose Massa. “This caused heated discussions at home. My son says he’s heard me grumbling for 30 years regarding the constant economic crises the country has been through and believes now is the time to give a man like Milei the chance.”
The fact that human rights, the country’s sovereignty or its own currency are falling by the wayside is not a frightening factor. People in Argentina vote with their gut – and they are pissed off at the current government of Peronist Alberto Fernandez.
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