Argentina
Milei Seeks to Bolster His Campaign with Malvinas, Security, and Slowing Inflation
According to Todo Noticias, the government is trying to put the islands claim on the agenda, capitalize on the drop in the CPI, and harden its security rhetoric. At the same time, signs of concern about economic activity persist.
Javier Milei began the week with a cabinet meeting in which, according to Todo Noticias, the focus was on keeping the Malvinas claim on the agenda. In that context, the government plans to send a bill to the Chamber of Deputies linked to the defense of sovereignty over the islands.
According to that outlet, the official strategy is not limited to the diplomatic sphere. It also aims to raise the cost of developing the Sea Lion oil project and to pressure for Argentina to be able to take part in the revenues derived from the resources extracted in that basin. Todo Noticias also said the offensive includes complaints in Comodoro Py against companies operating in the area and that the planned sanctions would also reach fishing firms.
On the domestic political front, the Malvinas issue appears as a topic with the ability to appeal to nationalist sectors of different backgrounds. Todo Noticias said part of the opposition chose not to reject the government initiative outright and instead even proposed tougher measures against British companies.
The government also took advantage of the debate over lowering the age of criminal responsibility. According to Todo Noticias, the suspension of the application of juvenile criminal law by a judge in Buenos Aires province reactivated the official discourse against garantismo and opened a new front of political confrontation.
Another of the axes used by Casa Rosada was the result of the PISA tests. Todo Noticias noted that the ruling party used those data to question Kirchnerist administrations and link the deterioration in education to a long-term decline.
In economic terms, the most favorable figure for the government was August inflation, which Indec placed at 1.7%, below July’s 2.1%. According to Todo Noticias, the slowdown was linked to declines in food and transportation, as well as a drop in clothing prices. However, the same outlet warned that services rose 2.8% and that the Total Basic Basket increased 2.6%.
Negative signals came from activity. Todo Noticias cited the UIA, which warned that nearly half of companies are affected by falling sales and that 42% cut production. It also reviewed Indec data showing declines in industry and construction during July. In that context, Luis Caputo acknowledged that the economy is moving at different speeds and Patricia Bullrich admitted concern within the government.
The report also mentions the debate over delinquent debtors, pushed by the opposition in Congress, and the call for greater social justice upheld by the Church. Todo Noticias added that a report from the UCA’s Social Debt Observatory indicated that 30 out of every 100 families need to borrow money to make it to the end of the month, a proportion that rises to 44% among households in poverty.
Looking ahead to the electoral scenario, Todo Noticias said that both the ruling party and the opposition see that Milei retains a core of positive image and that part of the electorate rejects a return of Kirchnerism. That picture, however, is also encouraging Peronism, where different sectors have begun to show themselves once again in search of a strategy of unity.
Fuentes
Sobre esta nota. Written by El Notero with the assistance of artificial intelligence, based on what was published by the cited outlet. El Notero did not do its own reporting on this event.
