Argentine President Javier Milei is preparing to head on Tuesday in Córdoba the controversial “right fest” event, a festival that brings together figures of the ultra -right and libertarians to promote a so -called “cultural battle” against the left.
The event will take place when a growing social discontent is confirmed in recent surveys that reject the government’s execution.
Defined by its organizers as “the most anti-numbing event in the world”, the festival will take place at the Quorum Hotel, and will feature talks, book presentations, musical shows and Milei’s speech, scheduled for 9:00 p.m. local hours.
This act occurs at a time when 57.5 % of Argentines have a negative image of the president, and 56.8 % reject current policies, according to a survey of the consultant Zuban Córdoba released this week.
Despite the growing public discomfort and the proximity of the provincial and national elections, Milei chooses to promote a polarizing and reactionary discourse in this event that will also bring together his sister, Karina Milei, general secretary of the Presidency, and the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Martín Menem.
Tickets, sold to 35,000 Argentine pesos, representing about 2.5 % of the Argentine formal average monthly salary, provide a complete capacity of 2,500 attendees.
A festival for the “cultural battle”
Right Fest is presented as a space to confront progressive ideas with conservative and ultra -liberal speeches, summoning a new audience attracted by the ideological agenda of the president.
Among the panels will be addressed such as “spiritual battle, apologetics and defense of life”, “we do not hate journalists enough”, “Peronism: the Kaiser of Argentina” and “Walking: moral anatomy of the left.”
The event is promoted from libertarian and extreme right platforms with figures such as Agustín Laje, Nicolás Márquez, Diego Recalde and the “Gordo Dan”, artistic name of the influencer Daniel Parisini, who will also be speakers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktipfptTrsc
Social rejection and electoral context
But the combative nature of the festival contrasts with the increase in popular disapproval to the government, a paradox that is evidenced in the Zuban Córdoba survey, which reveals that 53.6 % of Argentines define “antimileist”, while only 28.1 % continue to support their administration.
The survey also reveals that more than half of the population (52.8 %) intends to punish with its vote the official management in the nearby elections, scheduled for September in Buenos Aires and other provinces, and October throughout the country.
Among the most frequent criticisms are the “destruction of the State”, the reduction of social programs and the perception of “a cruel government”, factors that have reduced confidence towards the president.
Vice President Victoria Villarruel, close to the ruling party, also records a negative image, with 55.3% rejection, reflecting a general wear and tear in the nucleus of power.
These figures question Milei’s political strategy, which today bets on a radical discourse to strengthen an ideological basis, given the real risk of an electoral setback in the coming months.
Adjustments and economic pressure
Social criticism deepens in the midst of painful economic adjustments for most Argentines.
The recent 2.6% increase in fuel prices by the state oil company YPF, which chains rises that already exceed 6% in July, hits the popular pocket, in a context where basic services record accumulated increases of up to 600% in a year and a half.
Increases in electricity, gas, water, transport and rental amplify the feeling of precariousness and consumption crisis, to which the government responds with an ideological vehemence but not with effective measures that relieve the situation.
Privatization and IMF recommendations
To this pressure is added the government’s decision to advance in the privatization of the AYSA Water and Sanitation Company, which provides fundamental services in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires.
A recently published decree enables the partial or total sale of state shares and empowers the company to cut the service due to lack of payment, measures harshly criticized by opposition sectors that alert about a setback in essential social rights.
In addition, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) maintains strong demands to unlock a credit of 2 billion dollars, conditioning its disbursement to new structural reforms that impose greater flexibility exchange, increase in reserves and policies to increase economic competitiveness.
The IMF recommendations, however, collide with the internal reality that shows a depressed industry, lack of public investment and social cuts that affect the most vulnerable population, a scenario that has contributed to aggravate discontent with Milei and its cabinet.
