Javier Miley addressed Congress on Friday in a chamber he called a «rat's nest»; Photo: GETTY IMAGES
In a fiery speech to Congress on Friday, Argentina's president vowed to shut down the country's largest public news service for spreading «propaganda.»
Outlining his legislative ambitions for his first term, Javier Miley vowed » to accelerate» his plans to rebuild the country and overcome the economic crisis.
The controversial leader took office in December promising to «chainsaw» change the status quo in the country, and has previously called Congress a «rat's nest.»
The speech underscored Mr. Miley's determination to push through divisive economic reforms and austerity measures that have supported markets but sparked protests, including outside Congress on Friday, and resistance among lawmakers.
Friday Miley announced to the House of Representatives that he plans to close the civil service Télam, Argentina's largest and most prestigious news agency, as part of a wave of reforms targeting government agencies he accused of being a «secret ministry of propaganda.»
“We will close the Télam news agency, which has been used for the past decades as a Kirchnerist propaganda agency,” Miley told lawmakers, referring to former President Cristina Kirchner.
Anti-Milea protesters demonstrate in Buenos Aires on Friday over the president's plans to cut subsidies for students using public transport. Photo: AP
Last week he announced the closure of the National Institute against Discrimination, Xenophobia and Racism, which he branded a «thought police» and on Thursday banned the use of «Marxist» gender-neutral language in government documents.
In his first interview after his election, Miley vowed to shut down Argentina's state media, which he accused of encouraging left-wing political activism.
The 53-year-old sought to privatize Télam as part of his «omnibus», which was blocked by Congress last month.< /p>
Télam, which provides news and photos to media outlets in Argentina, confirmed the closure on its website minutes after Mr Milea's announcement.
Analysts warn that many small news outlets rely on Télam to collect reliable information and news. The agency, which operates as a state-owned limited liability company, was founded in 1945 by President Juan Peron, then labor minister.
We will not retreat, says the president
Mr. Miley took an aggressive tone on Friday when he addressed lawmakers on the state of the country, urging them to pass a new package of bills after the failure of his “omnibus” reforms that sparked violent protests in the capital Buenos Aires last month.
“We will not retreat, we will continue to move forward,” Mr. Miley said. «Whether by law, presidential decree or by changing the rules.»
Mr. Miley's proposals include cutting government spending on politicians, including benefits such as private jets.
He would also cut federal benefits for politicians convicted of corruption a second time, he said.
Mr. Miley has often clashed with and portrays those he considers the political elite as a «caste» that enjoys excessive work benefits.
Inflation exceeds 250%
Inflation in Argentina exceeds 250% and has been worsening since December after Mr. Miley devalued the peso.
The policies have pushed the poverty rate to nearly 60 percent, heightened tensions among workers and unions (with Mr. Miley promising on Friday term limits for union leaders) and sparked more strikes and protests.
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“If we don't fundamentally change the economic model, Argentina will have no future,” Mr. Miley said.
He added that he would send a bill to punish anyone, including the president, economy minister or lawmaker, who agrees to finance the budget deficit by printing more money.
Mr. Miley often pauses as his bloc applauds. , told Congress that if they opposed him in his quest for change, they would face «a different kind of animal.»
He then took a more conciliatory tone in an address to local governors, proposing a 10-point bill . On May 25, a “social pact” will be signed, in which they will be asked to overcome recent pain points.
The pact, which is conditional on the adoption of Mr Miley’s reform and financial reform, includes a “renegotiation” discussion” «predatory» scheme for distributing tax funds between the federal government and the provinces, Mr. Miley said.
Last month, oil and gas-rich provinces in the south and the powerful Buenos Aires province threatened to cut off energy supplies and take complaints to the Supreme Court after the central government withheld funds citing debt.
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