One and a Half Million Rally to Defend Public University Against Milei’s Government

Original article: Un millón y medio en la calle contra Milei: estudiantes y docentes salieron a defender la universidad pública One and a Half Million Rally to Defend Public University Against Milei’s Government A massive crowd of one and a half million people took to the streets to defend public university funding and protest against the Argentine President, Javier Milei, who has been over 200 days without adhering to the University Financing Law, which mandates salary adjustments and automatic fund transfers for higher education institutions. “There is a breach of the democratic agreement,” declared the University Front –composed of unions, rectors, and students– from Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires, criticizing the cutback program termed the ‘chainsaw’, which is promoted by the far-right leader. Public universities report that the freezing of budget allocations hinders their normal operations, alongside a decline in salaries for educators and staff amid inflation that has significantly impacted purchasing power, with annual increases exceeding 32% over the last 12 months.

According to sector data, cumulative transfers to the university system have seen a real drop of 45. 6% from 2023 to 2026, while salaries for both teaching and non-teaching staff have suffered a roughly 37. 13% loss in purchasing power since Milei took office—equivalent to nearly eleven lost salaries.

Currently, salaries are at their lowest level in the past 23 years. The enormous turnout across the southern country served as a reminder to the so-called “libertarian” leader that he has been 203 days without fulfilling the University Financing Law, which was enacted by Congress but has systematically been ignored by the presidential office. In the face of a government that disregards both the Judicial and Legislative branches, the educational community called upon the Supreme Court –now reviewing an extraordinary resource from the Executive– to “hear the clamor of the entire republic.

” Some governors, such as Axel Kicillof of Buenos Aires and Martín Llaryora of Córdoba, joined the youth in support of the protests. The president of the National Interuniversity Council (CIN), Franco Bartolacci, encapsulated the situation by asking: “What needs to be done for the responses to appear and the anguish to end? ”, reflecting on the challenges they have faced over the past two years.

From Congress, where they secured the law and its legislative protection, to the courts, where the government has lost rulings that mandate compliance, the University Front has exhausted all possible routes. Now, for the fourth time, they have taken to the streets. “Despite our efforts, we have received no response, which is why we march,” said Bartolacci as reported by Página/12.

He emphasized that the massive mobilization is linked to defending institutions and ensuring adherence to existing laws. “We march in defense of democracy and the rule of law; the law should apply to all, whether agreeable or not. Freedom exists within the law, outside of it, nothing.

Comply with the University Financing Law,” he urged. Meanwhile, Joaquín Carvalho, president of the Argentine University Federation, sent a strong message to the “libertarian” president: “Mr. Milei, it’s very wrong to interfere with people’s dreams,” he stated while reading a joint statement signed by the CIN, FUA, and various teaching and non-teaching unions including Conadu, Conadu Histórica, Fedub, Fagdut, UDA, Ctera, and Fatun.

The University Front not only demanded funding but also condemned the “unprecedented institutional disdain” from a government that selectively abides by laws and court rulings, thereby “breaking the social contract that maintains our freedom and the rule of law. ” Clara Chevallier, secretariat general of Conadu, reminded that “public university represents a consensus of the Argentine people. ” “We demonstrated this today, with one and a half million people setting limits on Milei’s government.

If he does not want to comply with the law, then he must go,” she affirmed. *Featured image: Radio Gráfica.