Argentina’s lower house of Congress recently failed to overturn President Javier Milei’s veto of a bill aimed at increasing public university funding to keep up with the country’s high inflation rate. Despite mass protests against austerity measures and university cuts, the vote in favor of the bill fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to override the veto. Milei, a self-proclaimed anarcho-capitalist, has implemented austerity measures since his election, leading to widespread demonstrations against his policies.
The economic situation in Argentina is dire, with annual inflation close to 240 percent and over half of the population living in poverty. Milei has committed to cutting public spending and criticized the education system, deeming the university funding bill as unjustified. This has led to significant cuts in health, pension, and education spending, causing university salaries to lose nearly 40 percent of their purchasing power due to inflation.
Despite efforts by students and supporters of public universities to rally for increased funding, Milei’s far-right party, along with conservative lawmakers, have formed alliances to prevent the opposition from reaching the two-thirds threshold needed to pass the legislation. Thousands of demonstrators have gathered outside Congress in Buenos Aires, holding signs advocating for freedom through education, and expressing concerns about the future of the free public university system that has enabled many to pursue higher education.
The recent protests come after extensive demonstrations in April, where hundreds of thousands of Argentinians protested against cuts to higher public education. Labour unions, opposition parties, and private universities have also shown support for these protests, with a teachers union reporting a million protesters across the country. Many individuals, like psychology graduate Ana Hoqui, have voiced their concerns about the impact of the funding cuts on their ability to access education and pursue their career goals.
The failure to overturn Milei’s veto marks a setback for those advocating for increased public university funding in Argentina. The ongoing economic crisis and austerity measures have deeply impacted the education sector, raising concerns about the future of free public education in the country. Despite the challenges faced by students, teachers, and supporters of public universities, the fight for adequate funding and support for higher education continues as they seek to address the impact of inflation and cuts on the accessibility and quality of education in Argentina.
