MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Union leader political rally in Buenos Aires to challenge Macri and his policies
The Argentine powerful teamsters union will be holding their first political rally in downtown Buenos Aires this Wednesday in a clear defiance of President Mauricio Macri's policies to combat inflation, launch the economy and attract foreign direct investors. Hugo Moyano a member of the unions' umbrella organization has promised to convene some 300.000 workers and has anticipated that any incidents will be the responsibility of the government. Read full article
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Disclaimer & comment rulesThe Feb. 21 march will be a test of how large a portion of the Argentine public opinion still believes president Macri will, somehow, tame inflation and improve the economy after over two years in office.
Feb 20th, 2018 - 06:49 pm - Link - Report abuse -1Depending on the number of people from different organizations attending, the march will also show how much acceptance is for the government's scheme of limiting wage increases to 15 per cent when nobody, including the government itself, believes inflation will be anywhere less than 20 plus per cent. (The government offered the Buenos Aires province teachers 12 per cent increase...in three installments).
After the government reduced taxes and levies on sectors such as the agribusiness and mining and allowing a big party for the financial sector, workers and small and medium-size entrepreneurs are becoming more and more sensitive to calls to tighten belts.
The public mood is also becoming less forgiving of Macri government officials involved in blatant conflict of interest operations, which has resulted in the resignation of under secretary general of the presidency, Valentín Díaz Guilligan, after he 'forgot' to declare US $1.2 million he had in an Andorran bank account. Until now, Macri had disregarded calls for the resignation of several ministers, such as security minister Patricia Bullrich, energy minister Juan Manuel Aranguren, labour minister Jorge Triaca among others.
Oh, and anticipating responses such as 'Macri can't make miracles happen after decades of mismanagement' I say not one expects Argentina to become Sweden overnight--most Argentines would cheer if small steps were taken...in the right direction.
Reekie,
Feb 20th, 2018 - 07:41 pm - Link - Report abuse +1“The Feb. 21 march will be a test of how large a portion of the Argentine public opinion still believes president Macri will, somehow, tame inflation and improve the economy after over two years in office.”
Moyano has promised 300,000 participants. I have no idea what the turnout will be but how many will need to turn up for you to accept Macri is winning? I guess 300,000 = No, 200,000 = Probably not? 100,000 = Probably? 50,000 = Moyano is the new Scargill. Agree your numbers now and we'll see what happens.
“limiting wage increases to 15 per cent”
If Macri is smart, this is probably a negotiating position.
“the resignation of under secretary general of the presidency, Valentín Díaz Guilligan, after he 'forgot' to declare US $1.2 million he had in an Andorran bank account.”
So he was corrupt and is no longer in the government as a result. Seems fair to me.
“Macri had disregarded calls for the resignation of several ministers, such as security minister Patricia Bullrich, energy minister Juan Manuel Aranguren, labour minister Jorge Triaca among others.”
Is there evidence of corruption?
“most Argentines would cheer if small steps were taken...in the right direction.”
The economy is growing, employment is increasing, inflation is less than it was. Aren't these small steps in the right direction? Of course you are not “most Argentines” and you'll never be satisfied until CFK is back in power and stealing from most Argentines again.
“The economy is growing, employment is increasing, inflation is less than it was.”
Feb 21st, 2018 - 06:19 am - Link - Report abuse -2Well, Zaphod, I got to say, you come straight from Marquitos Peña school of arts. The art of making a bad news story into a success. Unfortunately, you know as well as I do that, while you may have thick pink glasses and let's assume I have the dark ones, the last word belongs to the Argentines at large. Take a look at tomorrow's national demonstration...of, but I forgot. These are the Argentines that will “never be satisfied.”
The economy is growing? Wouldn't it be nice! Inflation is less than it was???? Where are you getting such information?
The truth is, no economy in the world can prosper when a government, simultaneously, borrows like there is no tomorrow, lowers wages, opens imports, shrinks domestic economic activity, favours speculation and capital flight, fires public employees and hires family members instead, and for everything shifts the blame on a government that ceased to exist more than two years ago.
You didn't answer my question. Let me rephrase:
Feb 21st, 2018 - 06:48 pm - Link - Report abuse +1How many people will need to turn up for Moyano's rally for you to accept that he has failed to get the support he wanted and, by implication, more Argentines support Macri?
Remember, Moyano is predicting 300,000.
a. Less than 200,000?
b. less than 100,000?
c. less than 50,000?
d. Another number?
Go on, give me a prediction.
@ZB
Feb 22nd, 2018 - 02:10 am - Link - Report abuse -1“How many people will need to turn up for Moyano's rally for you to accept that he has failed to get the support he wanted...”
“Has failed?” You may be too young or else you haven't learned much.
The large demonstration that took place today is not the end--it is rather a beginning. The opposition to the Macri government has been atomized for a long time--it is such division that allowed Cambiemos to get the presidency--and it is division what has so far prevented an effective opposition.
As such, today's demonstration is a first attempt of unions, political parties and social organizations to come together on some common points so that they can become an option for the people.
Oh, and about the number of people who attended, estimations vary too widely. However, it was large, was impressive, and in spite of the gloom and doom predictions of government officials and the dominant media, was totally peaceful. (The unions had people looking for any agents provocateurs).
EM,
Feb 22nd, 2018 - 06:30 pm - Link - Report abuse +1“Has failed?”
The fact that you didn't answer my question speaks volumes. I believe that the highest estimate was around 100,000.
”You may be too young or else you haven't learned much. The large demonstration that took place today is not the end--it is rather a beginning.“
I am old enough to know that it is too early to call it a beginning.
”The opposition to the Macri government has been atomized for a long time--it is such division that allowed Cambiemos to get the presidency--and it is division what has so far prevented an effective opposition.“
Agreed.
”As such, today's demonstration is a first attempt of unions, political parties and social organizations to come together on some common points so that they can become an option for the people.“
And yet it seems to have caused a split within the unions with many unions refusing to ask their members to join in so it may not be the beginning you are hoping for.
”was totally peaceful. (The unions had people looking for any agents provocateurs).”
This is good. It seems to me that Moyano's language has changed and he asked people to stop anti-Macri chants and wants to talk to Macri. Is he softening in the face of a new reality? Apparently many workers didn't attend because they didn't see the point given that their working conditions had improved so much in the last 12 months.
Ramón Ayala, UATRE (rural workers’ union), speaking with FM La Patriada: “The march doesn’t make any sense, workers are better off than before. It’s a march that is completely based on one sector, the majority has decided not to go because it doesn’t reflect the workers’ movement. Without a doubt, workers are better off now than in the last 12 years. We’ve achieved great things.”
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