In statements to the Télam news agency, Luis D’Elía, representative of the Federation of Land, Housing and Habitat (FTV), said that the protesters will express their rejection of the decree of necessity and urgency (DNU) signed by the president, which “consecrates for all time the conservative neoliberal model in Argentina.” He added that Milei’s program consists of a very high degree of country’s dedication to the concentrated sectors of the economy and privilege, both local and foreign.
On Wednesday, Milei sent Congress a package of regulations that establishes the economic, pension, security, defense, tariff, energy, health, administrative and social emergency until December 31st, 2025.
The bill, called “Bases and Starting Points for the Freedom of Argentines”, comprises more than 600 articles, grants legislative powers to the Executive Branch, and indicates that it may extend the aforementioned term for another two years. It also establishes the privatization of state companies and corporations and their conversion into public limited companies, among which are Aerolíneas Argentinas, Agua y Saneamiento, the Banco de la Nación, the Casa de Monedas, the Official Post Office, the Air Navigation Company, the Energy Company, Railways, Radio and Television, Télam and Fiscal Oil Fields.
The bill also eliminates primary, open, simultaneous and mandatory elections; and allows public administration contracts to be renegotiated or terminated for reasons of economic emergency, taking into account the availability of funds.
Moreover, it states that “those who direct, organize or coordinate a meeting or demonstration that prevents or hinders circulation or public or private transportation or causes injuries to people or damage to property, will be punished with imprisonment of two to five years, whether they are present or not.”
It also discontinues the system for the increase of pension benefits every three months, and considers those who act by virtue of due obedience as not punishable, which, according to several analysts and politicians, can prevent the continuity of trials for crimes against humanity during the last civil-military dictatorship (1976-1983).
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