Mass Protests Intensify in Argentina While Milei Attempts to Soften Austerity Measures 

Tens of thousands of people Wednesday took to the streets of the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires, calling for increased funding for universities and pediatric hospitals, sectors hard hit by libertarian President Javier Milei’s sweeping austerity measures, despite his newly announced plans to boost social spending next year, France 24 reported. 

Protest organizers said their intention was to pressure legislators to overturn Milei’s recent vetoes of laws that would have increased funding of public universities and pediatric hospitals. The president said the laws would harm the country’s fiscal balance. 

Congress’s lower house voted on Wednesday to reject both vetoes. Now, the Senate would need to do the same for it to take effect. 

Milei’s popularity has taken a steep dive following his severe budget cuts: Since taking office in December 2023, he has slashed public spending and successfully brought down monthly inflation from double to single digits, France 24 reported separately. However, the moves have triggered massive ongoing protests. In late August, demonstrators threw stones at Milei and his sister during a campaign appearance in Buenos Aires, with clashes breaking out among supporters and opponents. 

Part of his sinking popularity is due to a corruption scandal involving his sister. 

Earlier this month, his party had a legislative defeat in Buenos Aires provincial elections. 

With legislative elections approaching in October – where half of the lower house and a third of the Senate will be up for grabs – Milei’s party, La Libertad Avanza (LLA), hopes to win enough seats to keep the opposition-controlled Congress from overriding his vetoes. 

As a result, on Monday, Milei presented a proposal for next year’s budget that includes plans to boost social spending. 

The new budget plans for a 5 percent increase for spending on pensions and another 5 percent for disability pensions, 17 percent for healthcare, and 8 percent for education above inflation. Nevertheless, Milei insisted that balancing the budget remains “non-negotiable.”