Axel Kiselov On Monday, mayors, legislators and officials gathered in La Plata to demand approval of the law Finance law Which is still awaiting processing in the Buenos Aires legislature. The governor denounced the “illegal financial strangulation” practiced by the country’s government Javier Miley He warned of the impact of the recession and funding cuts on the district administration. “Buenos Aires Province faces an exceptional situation,” he said.
The call was given About a month after the presentation of the economic laws package For the year 2026, for which only the budget and tax law were approved. The third piece, which was the authorization to obtain financing and renew maturity dates, was pending. Kisilov opened his speech by saying: “I know that these are not simple times, and I know that these are not normal times, but that is exactly why we are meeting today.”
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The Governor of Buenos Aires cited Article 1 of the budget, which declares a “state of economic emergency” in the province and municipalities in the face of “deep recession and non-compliance of the national state with automatic and non-automatic transfers.” As mentioned, The decline in activity hit “practically all sectors.”
Kiselov explained that since the implementation of the National Economic Plan, activity in the Buenos Aires region has declined 5.7%Industry 10%building 25% And trade 8%. Added to this is the loss 172,000 job opportunities And close 5000 companies Only in the province. “There is practically no sector that has remained the same, and there is even a sector that is less improved.” described, with recent cases listed in textiles, food, laboratories, tyres, fishing and ceramics.
He said the combination of deteriorating salaries, increasing prices and household debt translates into increased demand on the public system. “People cannot pay the minimum on the card, I can’t pay off the debtHe stressed that financial intermediation – “an activity that does not represent work or production” – was the only thing that supported the national statistics, which in his opinion distorted the official measure to avoid declaring a recession.
What Kiselov claims
The central focus of the speech was the accusation against the national government Keep the item He stressed that it is guaranteed by law. “They have been removed Mandatory resources have been withdrawn That are compatible with the province,” he pointed out, referring to security and transportation funds, pension and retirement funds, and teaching incentives.
Kiselov emphasized that the province represents an accumulated debt of the nation equivalent to… 13 billion pesos – “13 million million,” he noted – and that the decline in revenues associated with the recession and measures without prior consultation add up to more 3.6 billion. He pointed out that we are talking about $9,000 million in one concept and $1,500 in another concept.
Despite this scenario, he highlighted that the administration continued work, food programs and health care: “If the province did not collapse (…) it is because it was decided to set priorities and work with great dedication, planning and sensitivity.”
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Kiselov also defended the regional administration against questions regarding the level of spending. He noted that Buenos Aires “is the most austere province in the country” and has already done so Lowest public expenditure per capita and One of the smallest countries In relation to its population. He said: “I challenge everyone who talks nonsense,” stressing that the available resources are insufficient given the scale of the crisis and the decline in revenue collection.
“We are not asking for extraordinary funds.”
The governor stressed that the financing request does not involve new debt. “We’re not asking for extraordinary funds, we’re not asking for anything different than what districts need to keep them functioning,” he said. He pointed out that Buenos Aires’ debts had decreased 9% to 6% For the geographical product and the interest burden in the budget decreased 7.8% to 3%.
“It’s about covering maturities,” he summed up, highlighting in contrast that the city of Buenos Aires recently deposited US$600 million. He stressed that without the law, the governorate would be forced to “withdraw its resources from health, education, and basic areas.”
Kiselov announced that 8% of total financing It will be distributed to 135 municipalities. To provide certainty, a guaranteed floor of approx 250,000 million pesosIn five fixed installments until June 2026. “Municipalities need predictability,” he explained.
Many community leaders particularly warned of increasing difficulties in meeting current expenses and paying bonuses, which the governor attributed to decreased activity and revenue collection and increased social demand. “More and more neighbors are turning to the state Because they are no longer able to bear the expenses that they previously covered on their own.”
The President called on the Legislative Council to vote on the law this week. He said: “The Legislative Council must decide in favor of avoiding further suffering, in the interest of the economic and social system.”. He returned to his central political complaint: “We are not prepared to face the maturities of a debt that we did not take on with resources drawn from health or education.”
He concluded with a direct message to the opposition blocs: “With sincerity, firmness and democratic conviction, I ask the legislature to support this law for the benefit of 17 million residents of Buenos Aires. It is for the sake of our province, for the sake of history and above all for the future.”
JD/M