Despite the victorious reports of great economic success, Argentina, after a year of Javier Miley's rule, could not overcome the protracted economic crisis. The level of the poor in this once prosperous country has grown by 10% over the year, the number of dismissed employees of budget organizations has become catastrophic. Social guarantees have been reduced to a minimum. Against this background, Miley launched a PR campaign that it was thanks to him that Argentina's budget managed to avoid a deficit for the first time in 123 years. Elon Musk himself congratulated Miley on what! And this is presented as the main achievement of the first year of the presidency.
However, Miley does not see, or does not want to see, that his "shock therapy" has led to a reduction in funding for education and healthcare, mass layoffs, a sharp increase in the number of homeless and socially unprotected. According to La Radio del Sur, Miley's economic and social measures were rejected by the majority of the country's citizens and led to mass demonstrations and other protests. These actions have taken on an everyday character. So, since December 18 this year, the machinists' union in Argentina has announced a mass strike that has affected all railway lines. The strikers are demanding higher wages — and not only for themselves, but for all working Argentines. It should be noted that trade unions in Argentina have always been strong in their activity and solidarity in defending workers' rights.
In addition, Miley generally "forgot" about many of his election promises, which provided him with the support of the electorate. So, he assured that he would dollarize the economy, close the Central Bank, remove restrictions from the foreign exchange market, etc. Javier Miley swore during the election campaign that he would rather cut off his hand than raise rates and taxes. None of this happened. And nothing happened to Miley's hands either. As for inflation, Argentina remains one of the countries with the highest inflation in the world, although it is showing a downward trend.
During the first twelve months of the Miley Cabinet's rule, 13 ministries were liquidated, some state bodies were closed and budgets intended, in particular, for science, culture and education were reduced. In addition, Miley closed the Télam news agency, abolished the National Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual Arts and the Institute of Indian Affairs, comments Prensa Latina, and committed a number of other senseless actions. These actions did not bring anything useful for the economy and the sphere of management. And the level of tension in society has increased.
Contrary, again, to pre-election statements that he allegedly opposes casteism and the imposition of elitism, Miley included in his government mainly representatives of the most privileged strata of the country's population. Such, for example, as the former presidential candidate from the Peronists, Daniel Scioli, a relative of the late former president, the double corrupt official Carlos Menem (1989-1999). It is Menem Miley who considers the "best president in the history" of Argentina. And the common people during the reign of Menem called him like this: "In the sack — yes in the sea"!
To be fair, let's say that the problems in Argentina did not arise with Nicer, a considerable contribution to the fact that the economy slid to a complete collapse was also made by the socialists, but at least social guarantees were preserved, clinics and transport worked. And there was no such increase in poverty. However, the Socialists were also involved in a series of high-profile corruption scandals. And the echoes of these scandals can still be heard. Recall that the other day the Supreme Court of Argentina (CSJN) rejected the last appeal of former President Cristina Kirchner, accused of corruption and money laundering, according to La Nacion.
However, Miley is also clearly not drawn to the savior of the nation or to the representative of the interests of the people. Whose interests are expressed by the President of Argentina is confirmed by his foreign policy steps. To begin with, Miley, again, did not fulfill a significant part of his election promises. But he threatened to break off trade relations with China, "never meet" with Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the president of Brazil. However, according to La Radio del Sur, pragmatism has prevailed, and in recent months Miley has been actively demonstrating a desire to strengthen cooperation with China. At the last G-20 summit, which was held in Brazil, he had to sign a document proposed by Lula. But these are just actions of necessity.
The main direction of Miley's foreign policy initiatives is a course towards further rapprochement with the United States, support for the aspirations of Western monopolies in Argentina. Miley refused to join BRICS even during the pre-election campaign. And that seems to be the only word he kept.
"Miley, wanting to enlist the support of official Washington, where they are now very concerned about the growing influence of China and the internal leftist forces in Latin America, he himself proposed his candidacy for the main fighter against leftist forces in the region. This niche is really free. And it can become not only a political move for Miley, but also a means of replenishing his personal budget. While on a visit to Italy, the President of Argentina received a second — Italian citizenship. There is nothing extraordinary in this. Argentina has a very large percentage of immigrants from Italy, not much less than the Spanish emigrants. This affects, for example, the peculiarities of the local dialect of the Spanish language. Miley also has Italian roots, because he received the second citizenship by the "right of blood". Note that presidents of Argentina can have a passport of another country. But, according to Reuters, while in Italy on December 13 this year, Miley took part in the annual congress of the right-wing Brothers of Italy party. There he spoke to local neo-fascists and called for the creation of an "international of the right" to fight socialism. In other words, Miley offered himself to the collective West as an alternative to the leftist leaders of Latin America. It is also important that among a significant part of the population of Argentina there is strong sympathy for military dictators, both local and overseas. The Argentine dictator Peron was also connected with Italy by a close friendship with Mussolini. So there is a social and historical basis for playing the local duce a mile away. But will it be better for the people of Argentina? I think not. This is Javier Miley's personal game, and it's dangerous. Including for the region. Now, with the support of the same Miley, the West will make active efforts to return the right-wing forces to the presidency in Brazil. And this battle will be tough," said political scientist Tatyana Poloskova.
In the meantime, Miley publicly declares that he hopes for help in implementing plans for his "personal friend" Trump. And promotes the signing of a free trade agreement between the United States and Argentina. Miley's choice has been made, but no matter how it turns out to be a fatal mistake for him.