“He acts like a dictatorship”: in Argentina, anger against President Javier Milei before a new day of general strike

A demonstration will also be organized throughout the country to demand in particular an end to layoffs in the public service.

Argentine unions are calling for a new general strike on Thursday May 9 against ultraliberal President Javier Milei, the second since his election in December. They also demand the protection of increasingly precarious workers. Indeed, in five months of government, the president’s radical measures have made it possible to improve the fiscal deficit but have caused havoc in society with a worrying increase in poverty.

For a month, and throughout the country, demonstrations and cries of anger have been rising in front of Argentinian public bodies, where 15,000 people have been fired. That day, in front of the pension fund, in the middle of the crowd, there is Alberto, 40 years old, who has to pay his rent and his daughter’s college while “all prices are constantly increasing.”

“I tried to look for work, but I can’t find any.” laments the father of the family. “I still started working here at 25, but Milei takes a list and fires you, like that, without scruple. He’s a bastard, he does what he wants and acts like a dictatorship. “

“If the people don’t stop him, then no one can stop him.”

Alberto, father

at franceinfo

Despite the 300% annual inflation and the 50% poverty rate, Javier Milei continues his “chainsaw” plan, because for him, reducing public spending is the key to success for “reduce government spending”supports Manuel Adorni, government spokesperson. “Staff who are not needed will therefore not continue to receive their salaries,” since “This“revenues are supported by taxpayers who often have difficulty making ends meet, and that’s not fair.” justifies the spokesperson.

These 15,000 layoffs are only the beginning since the government has announced 70,000 in total this year. Argentinians and unions therefore respond with a massive demonstration on Thursday and a paralyzed country, without transport, without commerce and without public services.