The Supreme Court rejected Judge Lijo’s leave request, leaving the government surprised. President Milei’s state-of-the-nation address highlighted economic achievements and proposed stringent laws. A legal confrontation erupted between Manes and Caputo. Changes in city leadership and severe power outages occurred, coupled with shifts in employment and media access strategies. Shakira returned for concerts, and an interactive exhibition is scheduled at the British Arts Centre.
The Supreme Court has denied federal judge Ariel Lijo’s request for leave, leaving the government surprised. Lijo’s fellow-nominee, Manuel García-Mansilla, attended the session without giving prior notice of his rejection of Lijo’s request. Although the government insists on Lijo’s nomination, it places pressure on the judge, who now needs a two-thirds Senate majority to secure his position.
President Javier Milei delivered a state-of-the-nation speech to a sparsely populated Congress, outlining his administration’s economic achievements. He announced plans to present an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for approval and criticized Buenos Aires Province Governor Axel Kicillof. Milei also proposed stricter immigration laws and a bill to lower the age of criminal responsibility while indirectly addressing the Cryptogate scandal.
Radical deputy Facundo Manes has filed a criminal lawsuit against presidential advisor Santiago Caputo for threats made against him. This followed a confrontation after the state-of-the-nation speech. Manes claimed that Caputo stated, “You don’t know who I am but you will,” raising concerns for his safety. The incident occurred as tensions escalated during Manes’ display of the Argentine Constitution, prompting a reaction from Milei and Caputo.
City Mayor Jorge Macri appointed Horacio Giménez as the new Security Minister, replacing Waldo Wolff amid criticism over recent security failures. Macri deemed it necessary to have a seasoned policeman in charge. Additionally, Hernán Lombardi was appointed Economic Development Minister, while Leticia Estévez became the Legal and Technical Secretary, with former president Mauricio Macri playing a decisive role in these appointments.
Over two million residents faced power outages due to the failure of two Edesur transmission lines amid extreme heat. These outages caused significant disruptions across public transport and impacted Internet access, affecting government operations. A yellow alert for severe weather conditions has been issued, following heavy rain expected in many regions.
Manuel Adorni, Communication and Media Secretary, oversees a staff of 208 amid government austerity measures. A report revealed that significant layoffs occurred during the Milei administration, with over 41,000 state employees dismissed. The ATE state employees union has raised concerns regarding potential ongoing layoffs following this austerity drive.
The Milei administration is contemplating an unusual approach to press access. Proposals include allowing voters to select journalists covering presidential events and implementing a mute button for persistent reporters, echoing similar tactics used by former President Donald Trump. Presidential spokesperson Adorni acknowledged conversations about these changes, emphasizing a shift in media interactions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude to President Javier Milei for Argentina’s abstention in a recent UN vote regarding Russian troops in Ukraine. This marked a shift from Argentina’s previous support for Ukraine. The abstention was part of a broader response from BRICS nations, with a significant portion of the UN membership supporting the resolution.
Colombian singer Shakira performed in Argentina during her “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” world tour, captivating audiences at sold-out concerts. This marks her return to Argentina after six years. She arrived on a private flight, warmly greeting fans at the airport.
A new interactive art exhibition titled “DESATAR” by artist María Eugenia Llorente will open at the British Arts Centre on March 14, preceded by a press conference. Llorente, a self-taught artist from Río Negro with a background in computer science, aims to delve into sculpture following her artistic journey after years abroad. Admission to the exhibition is free and open to the public.
In summary, the week from March 1 to March 7 featured notable developments in Argentine political and cultural landscapes, including judicial nominations, President Milei’s speech outlining his agenda, legal conflicts involving lawmakers, significant changes in municipal leadership, widespread power outages, employment shifts within government, media access revisions, international diplomatic relations, Shakira’s concerts, and a new art exhibition. These events collectively provide insight into the evolving dynamics within Argentine governance and society.
Original Source: www.batimes.com.ar
