Forum on Economic Proposals for the Future of Argentina
On May 3, the “Economic Proposals for the Future of Argentina Forum” brought together economists from different backgrounds convened by the Latin American Council of Social Sciences, the Friedrich Ebert Foundation and the Floreal Gorini Cultural Center of Cooperation.
This was the first of three meetings scheduled to coordinate actions in the search for solutions to the deep economic and social crisis into which the current government has plunged the country.
Several of those present spoke to CLACSOTV.
Federico Pastrana , economist from “Centro-Periferia”, referred to “the conditions of the International Monetary Fund, the high level of indebtedness of Argentina, what to do or how that level of indebtedness can be managed in the coming months and mainly in the coming years and how the government can face that situation”.
Felisa Miceli , director of the "Center for Research and Management of the Solidarity Economy" (CIGES), and former Minister of Economy of Argentina during the presidency of Néstor Kirchner (2005-2007), contrasted the current adjustment policies with "growth with social inclusion, which allows for an improvement in the quality of life of the population."
Guillermo Gigliani , from the "Society of Critical Economics," which brings together economists from several national universities, agreed on the fundamental importance of confronting the crisis to "reverse the conditions of poverty, misery, and backwardness that the country is going through today."
Ana Acosta , from the “Observatory of Economic Trends and Public Policies” (OEPP), highlighted the importance of these meetings “to discuss this complex situation, conduct an analysis and seek solutions” for the future.
Pablo Wahren , also from OEPP, addressed the issue of dollarization in the Argentine economy and concluded: “It is urgent to activate the economy, it is urgent to restore employment, to restore income, in a context where we have very significant financial limitations that we must overcome.”
Claudio Katz , speaking on behalf of the "Network of Leftist Economists," diagnosed that "growth is impossible under the suffocating debt conditions facing Argentina." He warned that "the IMF will likely accept a debt restructuring, extending deadlines and modifying payments, but in exchange for labor reform, pension reform, and greater hardship for our children who already have nothing to eat."
Guillermo Wierzba , speaking on behalf of “Carta Abierta,” pointed out that, for political reasons, “the United States administration gave Argentina the opportunity to benefit from a loan from the International Monetary Fund, with the aim of establishing a hegemonic policy in the continent without allowing for independent policies.” Faced with this reality, there is a need “not only to negotiate toughly with the Fund, but also to confront a Fund that will try to force Argentina to adapt to the conditions that imply a lack of autonomy regarding the general policies they want to implement in the continent.”
Finally, Lavih Abraham , economist at “El Mirador de actualidad de trabajo y la economía” (The Current Affairs and Economics Lookout), emphasized the importance of the fact that, within the context of this crisis, “dissenting voices that oppose the logic of this government were able to agree on certain basic principles that allow us to think about the future of a government that can change the current economic situation, which is very detrimental to all workers, and particularly to women and young people.”
