Argentine President Javier Milei and his vice-president, Victoria Villarruel, have found themselves embroiled in a significant public clash centered on proposed pension increases. The controversy escalated when Milei took to X to share posts addressing his running mate, who had been labeled "stupid" and "a traitor." In retaliation, Villarruel responded urging Milei to "grow up."
The president's reaction stemmed from a major defeat in Congress, where the Senate approved motions to enhance pensions and boost disability allowances—issues that Milei had strongly opposed. He declared his intention to veto the pension hike, claiming that it would jeopardize the fiscal surplus he promised to maintain and blaming Villarruel for allowing the vote to occur.
In Argentina, the vice-president also assumes the role of the Senate's president. Villarruel, in her function as Senate leader, permitted the controversial pension debate to unfold despite a boycott by government-aligned senators. The motion ultimately succeeded with 52 votes in favor and four abstentions. Advocates argue that the proposed increases are crucial for helping pensioners make ends meet amid economic challenges.
Milei criticized the pension hike, insisting it contradicted his commitment to eradicating Argentina's fiscal deficit and curbing inflation. Earlier this year, he celebrated a budget surplus for 2024, the first after a decade of deficits, and noted a recent drop in monthly inflation rates to 1.5%, the lowest in over five years.
However, the austerity measures implemented under his leadership have incited protests, particularly among pensioners who have been gathering outside Congress regularly. Following the Senate's motion approval, Milei swiftly announced that he would block the pension increase, indicating a high degree of confidence in his veto.
He further lashed out at Villarruel, sharing a post that branded her as "traitor, demagogue, and economically ignorant." In response, Villarruel took to Instagram to assert that the needs of pensioners and individuals with disabilities could no longer be postponed, advising the president to cut expenditures on intelligence services and his extensive travel habits.
Since his inauguration in December 2023, Milei's global travels, including appearances where he showcased his administration's cuts with a symbolic chainsaw, have drawn scrutiny. On Instagram, Villarruel urged Milei to "speak and act like an adult," underscoring the ongoing challenges within their coalition government.
