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submitted 6 months ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/world@lemmy.world

The cuts to free public universities triggered mass demonstrations throughout the country, reflecting the growing social unrest surrounding President Javier Milei’s economic policy

The massive marches on Tuesday in defense of public universities in Argentina mark a turning point in the presidential mandate of Javier Milei. During his first four months in power, Milei has made sweeping decisions aimed at eliminating the fiscal deficit and shrinking the state: he has paralyzed public works, closed state agencies, fired tens of thousands of officials, and lowered pensions and salaries. Each new measure has found detractors and backers, but Milei’s privatization agenda seems to have found its first limit: the public university.

In a country wracked by economic crises and political discontent, free public higher education is one of the few pillars still standing. The working- and middle-class cling to it as a way for them to imagine a better future for their children. The images of classes taught in classrooms without light or outside the faculties due to the lack of funds to pay for electricity have outraged both Peronists and left-wing voters — on the opposite side of the political spectrum to Milei — as well as voters from groups closer to the government, including radicals and supporters of former president Mauricio Macri, and even Milei voters who now regret their support.

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[-] Kensai@lemmy.world 72 points 6 months ago

Man, who could've seen this coming? It's not like the man said he'd cut all public spending and cripple the government.

[-] whereisk@lemmy.world 3 points 6 months ago

"he's hurting the wrong people" - some Argentinians who voted for Milei, probably.

[-] JoeKrogan@lemmy.world 16 points 6 months ago

He will privatize everything or try to

[-] Rentlar@lemmy.ca 13 points 6 months ago

Lol, Argentina if you want to see what happens to your universities from those types of cuts, look no further than the USA. At LSU, oil firms can set the agenda on what papers get funding for research

[-] whereisk@lemmy.world 3 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

Milei saw it and he liked what he saw. I kind of understand why Argentina voted for him after being fucked over for so long, but didn't he promise he would do that before he got elected?

[-] conditional_soup@lemm.ee 12 points 6 months ago

I really, really, really hope that all the US folks online bitching about how shitty private services have been has somewhat immunized the rest of the Internet connected world against it. But then... [Gestures at the UK]

[-] Carrolade@lemmy.world 10 points 6 months ago

Aw, c'mon, tuition and textbook prices are a good thing. Trust us.

this post was submitted on 24 Apr 2024
257 points (98.9% liked)

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