Key Takeaways:
- Axel Kicillof, governor of Buenos Aires province, launched the Movimiento Derecho al Futuro (MDF), marking a new chapter in his political career while navigating internal Peronist tensions.
- Kicillof sharply criticized President Javier Milei’s economic policies, accusing him of continuing neoliberal models and prioritizing foreign interests over Argentine workers.
- He called for Peronist unity ahead of legislative elections, emphasizing the need to protect public services and resist Milei’s austerity measures.
In a significant political move, Axel Kicillof, the governor of Buenos Aires province, officially launched his new political faction, Movimiento Derecho al Futuro (MDF), during a rally in La Plata on Saturday. The event, held at a UPCN camping site in Los Hornos, underscored Kicillof’s push for a unified front against President Javier Milei’s administration while addressing internal divisions within the Peronist movement, particularly with former president Cristina Kirchner and her allies in La Cámpora. Amidst a backdrop of economic hardship and upcoming legislative elections, Kicillof positioned himself as a defender of public services and provincial interests, while delivering pointed critiques of national policies.
Kicillof’s speech was a blend of outreach and attack. He emphasized inclusivity within the Peronist spectrum, stating, “As the General said, the movement was never exclusionary, never sectarian,” invoking the legacy of Juan Domingo Perón to rally support for MDF. He urged his party to focus on Milei as the “only adversary,” cautioning against internal disputes: “The enemy is outside, not inside. We must speak to our people, not just among leaders.” This message comes as tensions simmer over the decision to separate provincial elections from national ones, a strategy criticized by some Peronists as divisive, especially after recent electoral losses in other provinces and Buenos Aires city.
A central theme of Kicillof’s address was a scathing rebuke of Milei’s economic approach. He accused the president of perpetuating a model akin to past neoliberal policies under figures like José Alfredo Martínez de Hoz and Domingo Cavallo, as well as Mauricio Macri’s administration. “This is not a new, libertarian model. It’s the same old continuity—dollar pegged, salaries destroyed,” Kicillof argued, linking Milei’s touted inflation reduction to suppressed wages and slashed public investment. He highlighted that 81% of Milei’s budget cuts targeted pensions, public works, and education, describing the president’s austerity as a “chainsaw” meant for the people, not the political elite as promised during the campaign.
Beyond economics, Kicillof denounced Milei’s foreign alignments, particularly his ties with Donald Trump and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). “Instead of licking Trump’s boots, listen to how he defends American jobs. We need to make Argentina great with our industry, science, and culture,” he said. He also criticized Milei’s negotiations with the IMF, stating, “The IMF never brought good news to Argentina. It’s always been a choice: IMF or the people.”
The governor also expressed solidarity with Cristina Kirchner, decrying what he called renewed judicial persecution against her. “Enough with the judicial party and persecution. The Peronism has faced this many times; it’s meant to discipline those who fight,” he declared, despite ongoing friction with Kirchner’s faction over electoral strategies. Looking ahead to the legislative elections in September and October, Kicillof acknowledged the challenge, noting that Peronism hasn’t won mid-term elections in Buenos Aires province for 20 years. He urged realism but insisted on a mission to “stop the chainsaw from crossing General Paz,” referring to protecting the province from national austerity measures.
This development is critical as Argentina grapples with economic instability and political polarization. Kicillof’s launch of MDF signals a potential reshaping of Peronist dynamics, aiming to consolidate power in the influential Buenos Aires province while challenging Milei’s libertarian agenda. With inflation, unemployment, and public sector cuts dominating public discourse, Kicillof’s rhetoric taps into widespread discontent, positioning him as a key opponent to Milei’s reforms. As elections approach, the balance between Peronist unity and internal rivalries will likely shape the opposition’s effectiveness against the current administration.
Read More:
– Clarin: Axel Kicillof on Milei’s Inflation Strategy
– La Nacion: Kicillof Launches MDF, Targets Milei
– Pagina12: Kicillof Demands Return of Provincial Funds