After nine days out of the public eye, Argentine President Javier Milei resumes his schedule on Monday with a ceremony marking the 176th anniversary of General José de San Martín's death. The week continues with his speech at the Council of the Americas and confirmation that he will present the 2027 Budget to Congress on September 15.

A Long-Awaited Return After Days of Silence

After more than a week without public appearances, Javier Milei will face the cameras and the Argentine public once again. According to official sources, the president will lead the ceremony this Monday, August 17, at 3:00 PM commemorating the 176th anniversary of the death of General José de San Martín, at the Monument to the Liberator in San Martín Square, in the Buenos Aires neighborhood of Retiro.

He is expected to deliver a short but forceful speech, focusing on the "liberal" values of the national hero, with most of his cabinet in attendance. This marks Milei's second visit to the historic square this year, following the Malvinas War commemoration on April 2.

Key detail: Buenos Aires City Mayor Jorge Macri will hold his own tribute at the same location starting at 10:00 AM, with folk shows and a performance by Nahuel Pennisi, before the presidential address.

A Week Full of Commitments

The presidential agenda continues after Monday's event. On Thursday, August 20, Milei will participate in the 23rd Council of the Americas, the renowned international conference organized by the Americas Society/Council of the Americas (AS/COA) together with the Argentine Chamber of Commerce and Services (CAC). The event will take place at the Alvear Hotel, where the president will speak as part of the conference "Argentina: Economic and Political Perspectives."

Also attending will be Chief of Cabinet Diego Santilli and ministers Luis Caputo (Economy), Federico Sturzenegger (Deregulation), and Pablo Quirno (Foreign Affairs). It is a setting where the president feels at ease, with businessmen he has good relations with, although the CAC, through its president Mario Grinman, has expressed concern about the drop in consumption and the number of people struggling to make ends meet.

2027 Budget: The Big Date on September 15

Another confirmed milestone is that Milei will step into Congress on September 15 to present the 2027 Budget. This move replicates his 2024 appearance when he gave a nationally televised speech on a Friday night. The decision to personally deliver the Budget Law stems from the need to showcase the success of his economic program and to send clear messages to the opposition in a pre-election year.

According to reports, the ruling party has identified 13 "transformational" projects as part of the legislative agenda for the coming months. Among the executive's priorities is the elimination of PASO (primary elections), though that goal seems increasingly distant due to a lack of agreements with provincial governors.

Government Weekly Agenda

  • Monday, 8/17: San Martín ceremony in Retiro (3:00 PM).
  • Tuesday, 8/18: Spokesperson Ravier press conference (11:00 AM), political table meeting (1:00 PM), and first meeting to organize the visit of Pope Leo XIV (5:00 PM).
  • Thursday, 8/20: Milei speaks at the Council of the Americas, Alvear Hotel (12:30 PM).
  • Friday, 8/21: Speech at the Rosario Stock Exchange.
  • 9/15: Presentation of the 2027 Budget in Congress.

The Context: Negative Polls and Social Unrest

Milei's reappearance comes at a delicate moment for his administration. Opinion polls show negative numbers: according to a UdeSA survey, 61% disapprove of the president's performance, and 57% believe the country has worsened. Meanwhile, household debt and record delinquency rates in banks and virtual wallets have become central topics on the public agenda.

Adding to the pressure, the CGT (main labor union), CTA (central workers' union), and social movements have called for a march to the Economy Ministry this Thursday to demand solutions for workers' hardships. Milei has already said he will not change his stance: "debts of virtual wallet users and bank client delinquencies are a private matter," he has repeatedly said—a message reinforced by Economy Minister Luis "Toto" Caputo and Central Bank head Santiago Bausili.

The president also believes that "Kirchnerism" is trying to instigate "a new campaign of fear" ahead of the 2027 elections. From his X account, he has stepped up criticism of the opposition, sharing messages against figures like Facundo Moyano.

In parallel, the political table led by Karina Milei continues negotiations with the PRO party and allied governors, though the alliance framework "blew up" after the failed Private Property Inviolability Law. Organizing the electoral and legislative agenda will be one of the focuses of this week's meetings.