Argentinian President Javier Milei is facing challenges as he loses support from the middle class and the youth, which could be detrimental to his political standing. Despite previous victories, such as defeating the Omnibus bill in Congress and limiting the power of labor unions and leftist movements, Milei faced a significant defeat during a protest in defense of the public university system. The mass demonstration highlighted the dissatisfaction with Milei’s policies, leading to a political setback for him and his party, La Libertad Avanza.
Milei’s response to the protest followed his pattern of using ad hominem attacks on social media and through his network of influencers. This strategy is part of a carefully crafted political communications plan led by strategist Santiago Caputo, aiming to build and maintain political capital through the digital information ecosystem. However, the march in defense of the public university system marked a turning point as Milei faced overwhelming opposition from the public. The government’s negative stance towards public education struck a chord with the population, leading to widespread protests across the country.
The protests against Milei’s perceived austerity plan for public education tapped into a deep-rooted pride in Argentina’s history of free and universal education system. While the population may agree that the educational system has its flaws, institutions like UBA hold significant value as a source of national pride. This sentiment, combined with Milei’s libertarian principles, sparked a popular response among the middle class and the youth, who saw his policies as a threat to public education and a preference for privatization.
Political strategist Jaime Durán Barba criticized Milei’s approach, warning against picking a fight with the country’s youth, historically known for leading social revolutions. According to Durán Barba, the government’s communication strategy focused on persecution rather than hope, which could lead to social upheaval in a challenging economic context. Despite Milei’s popularity and power, Durán Barba cautioned against becoming too confident in his position, as his power is not eternal and could be at risk if his strategy does not adapt to the changing landscape.
Milei’s use of synthetic power has allowed him to disrupt traditional political alliances, leading to the implosion of the Juntos por el Cambio coalition and defeating established political figures in elections. While Milei remains popular and influential, the risks of relying solely on synthetic power without adaptability or a message of hope could threaten his long-term political prospects. As Argentina’s political landscape continues to evolve, Milei will need to navigate changing public sentiment and potential challenges from the middle class and the youth to maintain his position of power.
