The week highlighted significant political developments in Argentina, including the Supreme Court’s rejection of Judge Lijo’s leave request, Milei’s state-of-the-nation speech targeting Kicillof, and tensions between Manes and Caputo. Major cabinet changes in the Buenos Aires city government, widespread power outages, and cultural events like Shakira’s concerts also marked the week, alongside Argentina’s controversial abstention in the UN regarding Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
In an impactful week from March 1 to March 7, notable events unfolded, beginning with the Supreme Court’s rejection of Federal Judge Ariel Lijo’s request for leave. This caught the Argentine government by surprise, as each nominee, including Manuel García-Mansilla, had initially been expected to support Lijo. García-Mansilla’s sudden rejection of Lijo’s request raised concerns about internal governmental cohesion, yet it was described by the chief-of-staff Karina Milei as a move respecting judicial independence. The government intends to uphold Lijo’s nomination, which now hinges on a two-thirds Senate majority.
President Javier Milei delivered a state-of-the-nation address amidst a notably sparse Congress. His speech, perceived as advantageous for his midterm campaign, highlighted economic accomplishments and emphasized the upcoming agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). During the address, he targeted Buenos Aires Province Governor Axel Kicillof on issues of crime and immigration, while also mentioning the Cryptogate scandal indirectly by recalling past administrative losses to the Central Bank.
Following the Congress inauguration, Radical deputy Facundo Manes reported threats from presidential advisor Santiago Caputo. Manes’ claims indicated that Caputo’s premeditated aggression, triggered by Manes holding the Argentine Constitution, raised safety concerns for Manes and his family. This confrontation, marred by a physical altercation involving a member of Caputo’s staff, added tension to the political atmosphere of the week.
In the City of Buenos Aires, Mayor Jorge Macri made significant cabinet changes, replacing Security Minister Waldo Wolff with ex-police chief Horacio Giménez. This shift arose from Wolff’s criticism due to recent security breaches in police stations. Macri’s decisions, influenced by former President Mauricio Macri, extend beyond security to economic leadership, with Hernán Lombardi stepping in as the new Economic Development Minister.
A significant outage affected over two million residents last Wednesday in Greater Buenos Aires due to power cuts during extreme heat. Many traffic systems were disrupted, and transport faced extensive delays owing to the failure of two key Edesur transmission lines. Following heavy rains expected in the upcoming days, alerts for severe weather conditions were issued throughout various regions of the country.
Manuel Adorni, the Communications and Media Secretary, operates under austerity measures with a reported 208 employees. This figure has come under scrutiny amid substantial job cuts under Javier Milei’s administration. Alongside a state of alert from the ATE employees union regarding further dismissals, the mission to streamline government operations continues.
In a controversial suggestion, the Milei administration is contemplating limiting press access to presidential events by allowing public votes on journalist participation. There are discussions hinting at implementing a “mute” button for reporters deemed too persistent, drawing parallels to similar media access restrictions initiated by former US President Donald Trump. Javier Milei’s administration has notably prioritized direct voter engagement through social media channels since taking office.
From abroad, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude towards President Milei for Argentina’s abstention on a UN vote regarding troop withdrawal from Ukraine, marking a departure from prior direct support for Ukraine. This move aligns Argentina more closely with BRICS allies, diverging from previous US-aligned voting decisions.
Cultural highlights included Shakira’s concerts in Argentina as part of her global tour, showcasing the singer’s return after a six-year hiatus. Additionally, an upcoming art exhibition by María Eugenia Llorente at the British Arts Centre is set to highlight her unique artistic journey and community engagement through interactive installations.
The week from March 1 to March 7 encapsulated critical legislative developments, escalating tensions in the political arena, and noteworthy cultural events in Argentina. The Supreme Court’s unexpected decision concerning Judge Lijo and Milei’s state-of-the-nation speech set the stage for ongoing political discourse leading to the midterms. Power outages and cabinet changes further illustrated the challenges faced by the Milei administration, while international relations and cultural highlights depicted a country navigating between domestic priorities and global interactions.
Original Source: www.batimes.com.ar
