From all corners of the country, thousands of people across Argentina mobilised to attend the inauguration of the brand-new President Javier Milei in Buenos Aires.
Sure of their support, they say they're willing to accept the strong adjustment he proposes to get out of the economic crisis.
“It gave me hope, it made me want to stay in the country. Not hoping to leave. It gave me the will to live. To have the hope and know that the country will evolve, that there’s light at the end of the tunnel,” said Lautaro Santillán, a 20-year-old computer engineering student who waited hours for Milei to give his speech on the steps of Congress.
The square in front of Congress was dominated by Argentine flags, even on baby's prams. There were also plenty of Milei's 'anarcho-capitalist' black-and-yellow flags. Ages ranged – the rally included everything elderly people on wheelchairs and entire families with small children. Men wore masks with Milei's face on it, showing the new president wielding a chainsaw, a symbol of the cutbacks he will make in public expenditure.
Wearing a T-shirt with Milei’s phrase “No hay plata ("There’s no money")” printed on it, Nicolás Hernán, a 27-year-old metal worker, said he knows he will have to make sacrifices.
“We need an adjustment, everybody has to understand that things are complicated and it’s a change for the better," he stated vehemently. “The adjustment has to be paid by politics,” he added, echoing the words of the new president.
Marisa Guazú, 60-year-old maths teacher, travelled all the way from the northern province of Tucumán to Buenos Aires, over 1,200 kilometres, to join the celebrations. “I’ve been with him since the start. At first I voted for him because I thought he wouldn’t win!” she joked. “This is a very deep crisis, we have to give him time."
Most of those in attendance came on their own, without any political organisations or unions grouping organising them. They came to see Milei, the anti-establishment leader who in less than three years of politics has reached the Presidency.
They enthusiastically chant all his slogans – “The caste is afraid,” or “Out with all of them," references to traditional politicians. Every now and then, someone would yell the now famous "Viva la libertad, carajo!" (“Long live freedom, damn it!”), followed by the response "Viva!").
Adriana López, a 60-year-old nurse who works at a public hospital, hopes the new head of state “controls the State more.” She claims that “there are people who don’t work and live on plans [welfare and social aid], while we work so hard."
Milei has promised them “a new era,” though not without initial pain.
"We now draw to a close a long and sad history of decadence and decline and start on the path of reconstruction of our country," he said in his speech. “We’re burying decades of failure to start an era of peace and prosperity, growth and development, freedom and progress."
His followers know they will have to brace themselves, but they are willing to do so.
The austerity measures “will affect all of us a bit, but we have to bear the brunt. We’re here and we need courage,” stated Ana Avellaneda, a 50-year-old lawyer.
Franco Sabattini, a 29-year-old shopkeeper from Mendoza, agreed with her. “The economy needs time to stabilise and we can’t expect miracles overnight when we have been destroyed for 16 years," he nodded.
– TIMES/AFP
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