After answering 2,135 written questions, the Chief of Staff Guillermo Francos provided a management report at the premises of the Chamber of Deputies. He started at 11:30 in the morning and made a first presentation of one hour. He dedicated a thank you for the sanction of the Ley Bases and the fiscal package: “It was the result of great work by La Libertad Avanza and those blocks that made themselves available to reach points of agreement and overcome differences”A message to all the blocks that voted for her and were part of the negotiations, such as the PRO, the UCR, the block led by Pichetto and Innovación Federal.
The speech had no surprises, and He repeated the classic government phrases as “We took Argentina out of hyperinflation and the dangers that were about to be unleashed”. The moment where he had effusive applause from the La Libertad Avanza bench It was when Francos said “Thanks to the new anti-picket protocol, the demonstrations were organized and the violent extortion of those who believed they owned the streets was ended”. Monica Schlotthauer and Nicolas del Caño from the left reminded the chief of staff that they come from last week repressing retirees who complain every Wednesday about the starvation wages that this government has worsened. On this occasion, the government once again repressed the mobilization of the retirees, although it was unable to prevent it.
At the end of his first exhibition, Francos referred to The new mobility and the meager increase of $17,000 for retirees which was voted on by Congress (with two thirds in both Chambers) and Javier Milei decided to veto. “It is not a mature and responsible act: exorbitant expenses are established” said the head of the ministers in relation to the law. He added that it is necessary “avoid illusions of unfounded improvements”.
Nicholas del Caño of the Left Front responded showing a crescent moon to illustrate what the increase he just vetoed means the government: “This is what you vetoed with President Milei. A half moon per day for less than a month.”. He also told Francos that he is “It is false that retirees have gained purchasing power”something that the minister had highlighted in his opening speech. Del Caño said that according to the Congressional Budget Office Retirees lost 30% in real terms of purchasing power taking the first 7 months of 2024 and those of 2023. Francos insisted with “that the minimum pension without reinforcement increased in real terms by 9% between December 2023 and July 2024”.
Christian Castillo He asked her about the Visit of libertarian deputies to genocidaires in Ezeizaparticularly by the irregularities in his entry into the prison. “Who was responsible? Security Minister Patricia Bullrich or the head of the Federal Penitentiary Service?” Castillo questioned the official who did not acknowledge receipt. Francos simply responded “The government’s position is set out in response No. 86 of the written report.”. That response only details the requirements for entering the prison (which the deputies of La Libertad Avanza did not meet), but does not answer who is responsible.
The written report contains answers to more than 2000 questions that they did from all the blocks. Vanina Biasi of the Left Front He questioned the minister for having sent them the written document the previous evening. They did not even have 24 hours to study it.
There were several deputies who questioned the presidential decree limiting access to public information. Miguel Angel Pichetto, the Civic Coalition and the UCR were some of those who made harsh criticisms. The chief of staff responded defensively “The government’s intention is not to make public information opaque, but to regulate requests for access to information.” He revealed that “We will modify the decree if necessary, we will be willing to analyze it.”.
From the Civic Coalition They insisted on asking Francos about The role of Santiago Caputowho in Milei’s words is part of the “iron triangle” in the government along with her sister Karina. It was Juan Manuel Lopez who launched “If he has a position of power, he must assume institutional responsibilities. This advisor does not submit sworn declarations of assets or interests, he is not a politically exposed person like the rest of the officials.” and added that it is not known if he has any conflicts of interest. The head of ministers was totally evasive and he just said “It has already been answered in question number 1708 of the written report”In the written report there is a brief paragraph that does not provide the details that several deputies have been requesting.
In the written report of the Chief of Staff, although there are many evasions, other data may be relevant to disseminate and inform the population. For example How much did the 19 trips abroad made by President Milei cost? between January 16 and August 8, 2024. The total cost was reported to be: more than 750 million pesos, almost 1.6 million dollars and 4,136 euros.
With ours: How much did Milei spend on her trips?
*More than 750 MILLION PESOS
*More than 1.5 MILLION DOLLARS
*More than 4 THOUSAND EUROS
Here are the details that were reported in the questions of the Deputies to the Chief of Staff👇 pic.twitter.com/z7nykmhxw4— Jesica Calcagno (@Jesi_mc) September 4, 2024
They also gave details about How much did Patricia Bullrich’s repressive operations against protests against the Ley Bases cost from December 2023 to June 12, 2024. A question they asked Del Caño, Castillo and Vilca of the Left Front. In the response they detailed that: “The Ministry of Security reports that the number of personnel mobilized from December 2023 to June 12, 2024 amounts to the sum of 7,488 Federal Security Agents, whose value is $424,125,450”. To this they add a list of expenses: for combustible amount to a total sum of $10,019,416.5; the expenses for “the refreshment have an average value of $1,120 in cash”; “The stow of 2300 elements in US$ 9535.04″; and “The cost of the Fences damaged was $3,500,000.00.”
The briefing finished ahead of schedule around 5pm. It was after a new repression of the police operation of Bullrich against the retirees who protested outside Congress like every Wednesday and who have become more vocal since Milei’s veto of the new mobility. The deputy Vanina Biasi of the Left Front He began to denounce the repression in the chamber, and when he was given the floor he said to Martin Menem: “There can be no more repression outside. Are we going to pretend that nothing is happening here while they beat up retirees outside? No, not at all. Right now they are advancing again. You told me that you were going to intervene, intervening means picking up the phone and telling Patria Bullrich to withdraw the gendarmerie from there.”. He then asked for the floor Germán Martínez, president of the Union for the Homeland bloc: “We have the chief of staff here. Can’t we take a break and have the chief of staff speak to the minister?”. Martín Menem refused to do so, and Union for the Homeland decided withdraw from the premises. So did Biasi and Schlotthauer, who returned to accompany the protest in the street together with Del Caño, Vilca and Castillo who left the session as soon as the mobilization began. Myriam Bregman was also present.
As every Wednesday, we accompany retirees who demonstrate in front of Congress. The criminal government of Milei and Bullrich sends hundreds of gendarmes to repress them and vetoes a law that means a small improvement to their poverty-stricken income. Miserable. pic.twitter.com/YpQROIg6D5
— Nicolas del Caño (@NicolasdelCano) September 4, 2024
The room was practically empty. Only a few deputies from the Civic Coalition, the PRO and La Libertad Avanza remained seated to finish listening to the Chief of Staff.
Source: www.laizquierdadiario.com
