Argentina's political landscape: Messi, Milei, and the rise of a new political class
The author expresses a preference for discussing football icon Lionel Messi over domestic politics in Argentina, noting the stark contrast between the country's current state and the perceived lack of significant events. The article touches upon the recent appointment of Diego “Colo” Santilli, framed as a consequence of Adorni's departure, and references a past controversial X post by the President, Javier Milei, from July 5, 2023. This post allegedly described Santilli as corrupt and linked him to organized crime, though it was later deleted. The author suggests several mitigating factors for Milei's post, including the heat of a difficult campaign, Santilli's own alleged reputation, and Milei's limited prior knowledge of Santilli. The piece then shifts to the Milei administration's efforts to cultivate a new generation of political leaders through "Schools of Leaders" organized by La Libertad Avanza (LLA) in various provinces. Karina Milei, referred to as "the first worker," is highlighted for her role in inaugurating these schools, emphasizing the need for preparedness in governance. These schools aim to professionalize politics, moving away from perceived improvisers and 'la casta' (the elite). The curriculum reportedly includes subjects like Austrian economics, anti-state ideology, the power of money, political language, social media militancy, and hostility towards journalism, with notable figures like Alberto Benegas Lynch (h.), Lule and Martín Menem, Agustín Laje, and special guests like Trump and Erdogan. Lili Lemoine is named Director of Studies, and the former Economy Minister, referred to as Massita, serves as an external consultant. The author notes that this initiative aims to create leaders aligned with the LLA's standards, contrasting with past perceived political missteps, such as Pato Bullrich's perceived political lesson to the Milei siblings.
The article highlights a strategic initiative by Argentina's governing party to institutionalize political training, aiming to cultivate a loyal and ideologically aligned cadre of future leaders. This approach, while common in political movements, carries potential risks. By focusing on specific ideological tenets and personal attributes like "hunger" and a willingness to "depredate," the LLA may inadvertently foster a political culture that prioritizes conformity and aggressive tactics over nuanced policy development and broad consensus-building. The emphasis on 'never again casta' and 'never again improvisados' suggests a desire for a disciplined, professionalized political force, but the selection criteria and curriculum could lead to a highly insular group, potentially exacerbating societal divisions and limiting the government's capacity for adaptive governance in the face of complex, evolving national and global challenges over the next decade.
AI-generated to prompt reflection — not editorial opinion, not advice, not a statement of fact. How this works.