Milei defends Karina amidst Macri's criticism: "Will they keep underestimating her?"
President Javier Milei is vehemently defending his sister, Karina Milei, the Secretary General of the Presidency, against recent criticisms from former President Mauricio Macri. The dispute centers around the failed negotiations for a political alliance between La Libertad Avanza (LLA) and Macri's PRO party in the Buenos Aires province. The president's strong reaction underscores the importance of Karina's role within his administration and the ongoing tensions within the Argentine political landscape.
Milei's strong response on social media
Amidst the closing of candidate lists in Buenos Aires, Javier Milei took to social media to express his unwavering support for Karina. His message was a direct response to Macri's insinuations that her involvement had derailed potential agreements. «Will they keep underestimating her? If they do, they will keep getting it wrong…», the President stated emphatically, signaling his frustration with what he perceives as a continued undervaluing of his sister’s contributions.
Macri's criticism of Karina Milei's role
Mauricio Macri's comments, made during a speech at the Córdoba Commercial Stock Exchange, highlighted a perceived lack of cooperation from LLA in forming a broader coalition. He specifically pointed to Karina Milei and presidential advisor Santiago Caputo as obstacles to reaching an agreement. According to Macri, «If Karina Milei and LLA think that their enemy is PRO, they are mistaken. The enemy is populism and Kirchnerism». He further elaborated that the PRO party had been left to essentially “rescue” Milei’s government whenever it faced challenges, due to the breakdown of collaborative efforts.
La Libertad Avanza rallies to support Karina
The defense of Karina Milei extended beyond the President's personal endorsement. La Libertad Avanza's official account posted a video montage showcasing Karina's extensive travels across Argentina to establish the party in various provinces. The message accompanying the video emphasized her pivotal role in the party’s growth: «President Javier Milei entrusted his sister Karina with the titanic task of forming La Libertad Avanza in all the provinces of the country. And so she did. We are going to bring the chainsaw, lower taxes, and be implacable with insecurity. Viva la libertad carajo!». According to «ambito.com» Macri stated that «Until now 7 districts were closed and in the 7 the PRO has not gone with LLA. Not by decision of the PRO but by decision of LLA».
Diverging views on political strategy
The disagreement between Milei and Macri underscores a fundamental difference in their approaches to Argentine politics. Macri has consistently advocated for a broad coalition to combat populism and Kirchnerism, while Milei seems more focused on maintaining the autonomy and ideological purity of LLA. This strategic divergence is further complicated by personal dynamics, particularly the central role of Karina Milei in the President’s inner circle.
The breakdown of negotiations
Macri revealed that discussions about a potential alliance had stalled long before the current controversy. He cited a lack of trust and a failure to establish a working relationship as key factors. «The President's first proposal to me was that famous fusion. I told him that before getting married, people today, in the 21st century, have intimacy first; they don't get married in an unknown situation. I told him to start working together, and that working together never existed», Macri explained. He also lamented that agreements reached to strengthen the government’s capacity and institutional framework were ultimately disregarded by Milei’s inner circle. According to «ambito.com» Macri has stated that the collaboration with Milei «ended up being solely rescuing them every time they were on the verge of the abyss so that the plan would not go to hell».
Impact on future alliances
The public spat between Milei and Macri raises serious questions about the possibility of future alliances between LLA and PRO. While both parties share a common goal of reducing the size and scope of government, their differing strategies and personal tensions could make cooperation difficult. The situation is being closely watched by political analysts and the Argentine public, as the formation of alliances will play a crucial role in shaping the country's political landscape in the coming years.
Political analysts weighs in
Political analysts are closely monitoring the evolving relationship between Milei and Macri, as it has significant implications for the future of Argentine politics. The failure to forge a strong alliance between LLA and PRO could fragment the opposition and weaken their ability to challenge the Peronist movement. Additionally, the public dispute between the two leaders could erode public confidence in their ability to govern effectively. The “NewMediaOrganization” «ambito.com» reports that Milei reposted the LLA publication and left a clear message to the former president after his numerous criticisms.
The road ahead for Argentine politics
As Argentina navigates a complex economic and political landscape, the ability of different political factions to work together will be essential. The Milei-Macri feud serves as a reminder of the challenges involved in building consensus and forging alliances in a highly polarized environment. It remains to be seen whether the two leaders can overcome their differences and find common ground, or whether their disagreement will further complicate the country’s political future.
References
- Ámbito. (2024, March 29). Javier Milei cruzó a Mauricio Macri por los dichos sobre Karina: "¿Van a seguir subestimándola?". Retrieved from ambito.com
