As Argentina approaches its presidential election on October 22nd, the leading contender appears poised to bring a figurative and literal chainsaw to the nation’s governance.
Javier Milei, a right-wing libertarian, known for his fiery rhetoric reminiscent of figures like Donald Trump and former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, has made dramatic demonstrations with a chainsaw a signature of his campaign events. This symbolizes his commitment to reducing the size of government.
Milei has vowed to target numerous government ministries, including education, environment, and women’s rights, and cut funding for scientific research. His most audacious promise is to “dollarize” Argentina’s economy, replacing the peso with the U.S. currency, a move that would render the country’s central bank obsolete.
Milei represents a radical departure from Argentina’s current political course, and his stance against science and education aligns with a broader global trend of right-wing populism, characterized by anti-intellectualism, which poses a significant threat to liberal democracies.
Nonetheless, as an expert in Argentina’s public health history, I believe Milei may encounter formidable resistance if he attempts to dismantle the long-standing consensus on the government’s responsibility to provide universal healthcare and other social services.
A Jolt to the Political System
Milei, a former economics professor, is relatively new to politics, having served just one term in the national congress. Like other right-wing populists, he portrays himself as an outsider.
Regarding public spending, Milei identifies as an “anarcho-capitalist.” His agenda includes the elimination of the Ministry of Health and Conicet, the primary agency funding academic research in Argentina. These would be merged into a new Ministry of Human Capital with significantly reduced budgets and personnel.
Milei’s rhetoric resonates with widespread discontent among Argentinians concerning the current government, led by Alberto Fernandez, a member of the Peronist party, which has held power for most of the past three decades.
Since assuming office in 2019, Fernandez has grappled with issues such as soaring inflation, increasing poverty, and allegations of official corruption. While the government initially gained support during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, by mid-2021, frustration had set in. This was partly due to accusations of preferential access to COVID-19 vaccines for Peronist officials and their associates.
The pandemic, however, propelled Milei into political prominence. He capitalized on public dissatisfaction, frequently appearing on television and social media to criticize a perceived “political elite” for imposing what he deemed unnecessary and economically damaging pandemic restrictions. His popularity has surged, particularly among young Argentinians drawn to his “anti-progressive” online messaging and disheartened by economic turmoil and political malfeasance. It’s worth noting that Milei’s appeal among men outpaces that among women, partly due to concerns about his commitment to reversing Argentina’s 2021 abortion legalization.
The outcome of Argentina’s presidential election will undoubtedly have profound implications for the nation’s healthcare and social services landscape, with Milei representing a stark departure from the status quo.
