At cross purposes

The situation is one of uncertainty, affecting not only the upcoming papal visit but also political scenarios and investment prospects. Although it is still more than a year away from the elections, the presidential tendency toward single-issue politics faces opposition on various fronts. This is evident in the recent protests outside the Congress over university funding, the land law, and the issue of disabled individuals with household arrears.

This multiplicity benefits President Javier Milei's chances of re-election as it leaves the opposition without a unified leadership and a convincing agenda. His current results, however, are a sluggish growth rate, falling short of an imminent crisis experienced in recent years, and taking place in a world fraught with challenges.

Senator Patrica Bullrich is currently leading the government caucus in the upper house, holding one foot in government and the other in opposition. She is considered a potential candidate for the presidency due to her popularity polls, which consistently have her outranking President Milei. However, her dissent over matters such as disabled individuals and household arrears disqualifies her in the eyes of many libertarians.

Should the opposition choose to form a deal with current City Mayor Jorge Macri for his re-election, Senator Bullrich may have to choose between running for president herself or remaining in the Senate until the age of 75. This scenario could give her leverage to blackmail the Milei siblings into granting her one of the two candidacies.

In the sector of household arrears, Senator Bullrich follows the government's stance of resisting calls for taxpayers to bail out debtors but finds more political margin in blaming the lenders instead of borrowers. This approach contradicts Milei's stance, who advocates for state intervention and fully denying the onus to the banks and virtual wallets.

The issue of household arrears is complex, affecting both the truly vulnerable and those who live beyond their means. With millions of people involved, it becomes impossible for elected politicians to ignore the problem. The opposition and government are at odds over how to address this issue, with the government seeing it as a "private problem" while the opposition demands a more comprehensive approach.

For a week, the complexity of this issue will be put on hold if the papal visit occurs. However, the issue will remain a significant topic in Congress.