Peronism has been nationalism and unionism, but this has not prevented some of its presidents from also being ultraliberal. It is a vital contradiction, a textbook case for any psychoanalyst, but none has been able to resolve it. Despite the number of couches at its disposal, the Argentine State has never had the guts to face its demons, as other Latin American countries have done, which have combated debt and inflation by reducing public spending and increasing private investment. Argentina, however, has preferred to print more currency to solve the Treasury’s difficulties, even if it triggered inflation and discouraged production. When the right ruled, especially Mauricio Macri (2015-2019), they opted for the free market, thinking that increasing exports would reduce inflation. It was a failure and Macri was not re-elected. Argentina accumulates a long decade of paralysis. GDP will fall at the end of the year. Inflation exceeds 140%, poverty reaches 40% and the population trusts their savings to the dollar and cryptocurrencies rather than the peso. The president needs the Peronists to overcome the crisis Javier Milei had it very easy. He won the presidency with 56% of the vote. Any populist would have swept the same. When everything fails, when the doctor gives you away, you put yourself in the hands of the first healer. Milei has no government experience and that is why he has won. She has promised heaven, although she knows that no one has touched it, and her only recipe to heal the economy is the same as always: spend less and earn more. Public spending must be cut, privatized, and the independence of the central bank restored to avoid the temptation of launching the banknote printing press and devaluing the peso. Inflation will rise even more. The middle classes will suffer a lot during the coming months. Milei, however, will protect the poorest, workers and pensioners. Like any good populist, he knows that they are the base of his electorate. He also needs them to deactivate the unions. He has to convince them that the bitterest medicine is the most effective. He also needs the Peronists. He has to make an agreement with them because they control Congress. If he doesn’t do it, they will overturn any law he proposes. He will not be able to dismantle the State that he criticizes so much, nor maintain his faith in the markets. Read also Agencies
Ballad For The Crazy Milei, By Xavier Mas De Xaxàs
