Argentina’s New President Milei Takes Office, Supporters Hope for Right-Wing Revolution Amidst Concerns of Social Movements
Right-wing revolution? Argentina’s new president Milei takes office today. His supporters hope for a right-wing revolution in the country plagued by ongoing crises. However, social movements fear oppression.
It’s pouring rain in Almirante Brown, a poor district in the south of Buenos Aires. Modest houses with front gardens alternate with slums and factories. In a small local café with plastic chairs, 28-year-old Natalia German and her team are preparing for the turning point – always with their phones in hand, posting something here, sending a message there, and checking their TikTok account.
A banner on the wall reads “La Libertad Avanza” – “Freedom Advances” in English – which is the name of Javier Milei’s party.
“He is the hope for real change for me,” says German. “For years, politicians have been promising that things will get better, but nothing happens. We are fed up with these politicians. What needs to change in Argentina is the bloated state. Give people the opportunity to take control of their own lives instead of treating them like sheep.”
140 percent inflation
Natalia German was elected as a city councilor for Milei’s party in the dense suburbs that have been dominated by the Peronist party for decades. For her, the Peronists are the epitome of the “caste of politicians” that Milei despises, responsible for Argentina’s economic decline: 140 percent inflation, four out of ten Argentinians living below the poverty line.
German says that you can’t go out on the streets at night here. “It cannot be that you have to lock yourself in your house from 10 p.m. because the neighborhood turns into a no man’s land. Saving money is impossible, as is going on vacation.”
Milei wants to minimize the state
A banner hangs on the wall behind German. “Eliminate political positions” is written at the top, or “Plan for private employment and human capital.” This represents Milei’s political agenda on a smaller scale. On a national level, the libertarian economist plans to implement shock therapy: he wants to minimize the state, drastically cut expenses, eliminate budgets, and carry out layoffs.
And he doesn’t hide the fact that Argentina will face tough months ahead. Milei spoke of stagflation, meaning the economy stagnates while inflation continues to rise.
“It will be tough for us workers”
Concerns are growing at the bakery cooperative “La Obrera” (The Worker) in the neighboring city of Lanus. They bake croissants, bran bread, and fried pastries here through collective work. The cooperative was established as part of a government support program for women after the last major crisis in 2001. Carlos Rodriguez was one of the instructors back then and is now one of the master bakers.
“We are filled with sorrow, frustration, and anger,” says Rodriguez. “I believe our government could have done a better job. Now, reality has caught up with us. It will be very difficult if everything is shut down here. The communities heavily rely on public contracts, which Milei wants to terminate. It will be tough for us workers.”
How does Milei respond to resistance?
The cooperative belongs to the influential Peronist movement “Movimiento Evita”, which was also part of the government coalition and at the same time manages soup kitchens, recycling centers, and social programs. Millions of people, especially from the informal economy, are now part of such organizations in Argentina. Like the unions, they also have enormous political power, especially through their ability to organize resistance on the streets.
“What scares me is how the government will handle Milei’s protests,” says Rodriguez. “He has already announced that there will be very strong repression, that it will be much harder for us to exercise our right to protest. It’s not about not letting him govern, it’s about the future of our families and children.”
Milei relies on alliances
That’s exactly what Natalia German from Almirante Brown is concerned about. That’s why she supports Milei. She knows that it will be difficult since the future president does not have a majority in parliament and relies on alliances. The fact that Milei has now filled key positions with experienced politicians whom he previously scorned as members of the “caste” he despises does not bother her.
“Libertad Avanza is a new party and, as Javier also says, anyone who is professional and trained for their task is welcome,” says German.
Javier is one of us, he speaks like a normal person. That’s how he manages to make people click and believe in change again.
After six tough months, German believes that Argentina will improve. For her and many young people here, Milei is the leader of a new right-wing revolution. For Rodriguez, on the other hand, the new president symbolizes a major setback.
