“Crazy people always tell the truth”, says the saying, and Javier Milei’s “truth” scared many because it threatened some social achievements and regional harmony. But fourteen and a half million Argentines (56% of the electorate) believed in his “madness” and made him the most voted president in the history of their country. A month ago, journalist Jorge Fontevecchia asked politician Néstor Grindetti if he was overcome by the fear of President Milei. He admitted affirmatively. Because that would be a “jump into the void”. An idea shared by fellow citizens who, even angered by the difficult economic and social situation of the government of President Alberto Fernández, resigned themselves to another Kirchnerist period with a cross on their backs, before jumping into the void with the extreme right. But the majority of citizens, tired of corruption, insecurity, unemployment, hunger, jumped without a parachute, seeking relief from the anxiety produced by the political caste that Milei’s “madness” promises to eradicate.
Between fatigue and uncertainty of change
Benjamín Labatut’s The Stone of Madness highlights the possibility that truth and madness are symptoms of the same disease; where going crazy would be an appropriate response to reality (edited by Anagrama). Milei declared himself an “anarcho-capitalist” leader, a catalyst for citizens upset with the status quo. He promises to close the central bank, dollarize the economy, cut ties with Brazil, China, India and the entire BRICS, with the “left-handed” pope and the “crap communists”. Privatize health and education; drastically reducing taxes, limiting spending, abolishing social assistance. He sees the sale of organs as a lucrative market; global warming as a socialist invention.
Most believed Milea. He decided on eccentricity over lucidity, insanity over reason…
Most believed Milea. He opted for eccentricity over lucidity, for madmen over saneness, for utopia over reality; perhaps possessed by Rotterdamian madness: that dose of adventure and danger that defies common sense and “sets the world in motion” (sometimes the other way around), or that of Don Quixote confused between the real and imaginary worlds. His terrible shock policy would certainly be opposed by Argentines who do not want to lose certain social achievements and would lead to protests, repression and violence like in 2001.
Javier Milei and Joe Biden talk on the phone after the election in Argentina
Jair Bolsonaro and Mauricio Macri came to power with disruptive speeches and neoliberal prescriptions that did not improve their countries. Neither the right nor the left strengthened regional stability. Corruption is transversal and delegitimizes politics. Fatigue causes “jumps into the void”, “ya que chu…” used by former president Guillermo Lasso, with visible results.
Javier Milei goes to the Olivos presidential residence to begin the transition
President Milei has the challenge of meeting his voters; complicated mission before congress against him. Show caution signs. He opens his parachute. Rethink international relations, health, education; while his inner circle fires up the chainsaw to reduce fiscal spending, curb annual inflation of 142.7% and stabilize the country in six very difficult months; more for the 18 million poor Argentines who are at risk of lighting the fuse. (OR)
Source: Eluniverso
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
