Argentina Sees Mass Protests as Thousands Rally Against Milei’s Austerity Measures

Email:online@newsofbahrain.com

Buenos Aires: Thousands of people took to the streets of Buenos Aires on Wednesday to protest President Javier Milei’s austerity policies, with pensioners, trade unions and left-wing groups joining forces after a month of World Cup-related distraction.

Pensioners have been holding weekly protests over low payments and limited access to healthcare. Nearly half of Argentina’s 7.8 million retirees receive the minimum pension, which, including a bonus, amounts to about $330 a month.

The protests were joined by the country’s largest trade union group, the CGT, which said it would increase its presence at future demonstrations. The mobilisation disrupted access to the capital, while clashes between protesters and police were reported in Avellaneda.

Milei’s government says its austerity programme has helped bring inflation down from nearly 200% to 33% over two and a half years, while also delivering a budget surplus and improving Argentina’s credit rating.

But critics say the policies have caused severe social hardship, with trade unions arguing that wages are losing purchasing power despite the government’s claims of economic recovery.

Pic Credit: AFP