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Cristina Kirchner is fascinated by Milei's power, says journalist Pagni
🇦🇷 Argentina /Elections & Politics

Cristina Kirchner is fascinated by Milei's power, says journalist Pagni

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Analysis Named sources Context piece
  • Argentine journalist Carlos Pagni discussed the nature of power and its dissolution in politics, leading to the rise of mafia-like structures.
  • Pagni analyzed Javier Milei's rise as a product of a representation crisis, noting his appeal to a segment of the electorate and his impact on traditional political forces like Peronism and PRO.
  • The journalist suggested that a faction within Cristina Kirchner's political movement is fascinated by Milei's exercise of power, creating a unique political dynamic.

Argentine journalist Carlos Pagni offered a theoretical reflection on the nature of power, drawing from philosopher Michel Foucault, in a discussion with colleague Diego Genoud. Pagni posited that power is not solely state-based or derived from social conflict, but rather a circulating force that shapes social life and human behavior.

Power is not only the power of the state. Nor is it the power of social conflict, which would be Marx's idea. It is not something one has, but rather it circulates and no one has it, it conditions all forms of social life and generates a special type of human being.

— Carlos PagniPagni began by reflecting on the nature of power, referencing Michel Foucault.

Pagni argued that a "dissolution of politics" has weakened the state, creating a vacuum filled by "mafia-like powers." He linked this phenomenon to the current political landscape, identifying Javier Milei as a product of a "representation crisis." This crisis, Pagni explained, is a cyclical issue for Argentina that, since 1983, has been channeled through democratic means rather than coups.

There has been a dissolution of politics that entails an enormous weakening of the state. And there another power emerges: the power of the mafias.

— Carlos PagniPagni explained how the weakening of the state has led to new forms of power.

"Milei emerges as a product of that crisis, reflected in the 30% of the electorate that in 2023 opted for an unprecedented option," Pagni stated, noting that Milei's initial obscurity exacerbated the phenomenon. The journalist observed that Milei embodies a liberalism focused on market freedoms but seemingly blind to the institutional frameworks that also define this ideology. This, he suggested, connects Milei to a broader intellectual tradition.

Milei is the result of a representation crisis. Of a greater representation crisis.

— Carlos PagniPagni analyzed the origins of Javier Milei's political rise.

However, Pagni highlighted a novel aspect: Milei's challenge to Peronism, not just for defeating them but for his particular style of wielding power. "There is a part of Cristina Kirchner that is fascinated with Milei," Pagni ventured, suggesting this creates a significant political disturbance. For the PRO party, Milei has usurped their electoral base, a situation Pagni described as "humiliating" but a tension that remains unresolved.

There is a part of Cristina Kirchner that is fascinated with Milei.

— Carlos PagniPagni speculated on the influence Milei's leadership style has on other political figures.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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