Argentines Flood Streets Demanding Reversal of Education Spending Cuts

Tens of thousands of Argentines marched through downtown Buenos Aires and other major cities across the country on Tuesday, demanding that President Javier Milei reverse deep budget cuts affecting public universities.

The demonstrations, described as one of the largest education protests since Milei took office, brought together students, lecturers, university workers, labour unions and civil society groups concerned about the future of Argentina’s public education system.

Protesters gathered in Buenos Aires’ Plaza de Mayo and surrounding streets, carrying banners defending free public education and condemning the government’s austerity measures. Similar marches were also reported in cities including Córdoba, Mendoza and Tucumán.

The protests were triggered by growing frustration over funding reductions to public universities, which critics say have severely affected salaries, research programmes and campus operations amid Argentina’s high inflation crisis. University unions say inflation-adjusted salaries for professors and staff have sharply declined since Milei assumed office in late 2023.

Demonstrators urged the government to comply with a university funding law previously approved by Congress. Milei, however, vetoed the legislation, arguing that increased spending would undermine his administration’s fiscal discipline and economic reform agenda.

Many protesters described public universities as a symbol of equal opportunity in Argentina, where tuition-free higher education has long been considered a national achievement.

The Milei administration has defended the spending cuts as part of broader efforts to reduce public expenditure, tackle inflation and stabilise the economy after years of financial instability. Supporters of the president argue the reforms are necessary to address Argentina’s long-running economic crisis.

The demonstrations mark the latest wave of resistance to Milei’s austerity policies, which have sparked repeated protests from labour unions, students and opposition groups since he became president.