Argentinians march against Milei's education cuts

STORY: The demonstrations are the latest example of rising tension over spending cuts that are helping undo a deep fiscal deficit but causing hardship in the real economy.

In the union-backed marches in the capital and beyond, banners were held aloft in the southern autumn sunshine reading "Don't steal the next generations’ future" and "Public education is not negotiable."

Milei, dealing with an inherited economic crisis after years of government over-spending, is employing "chainsaw" budget cuts that helped the state post three months of fiscal surpluses at the start of the year.

But the cuts have squeezed the public sector badly. Argentina's public universities like the prestigious University of Buenos Aires (UBA), which offers free undergraduate education, rely heavily on government funding.

UBA, a free university where five Nobel laureates and 17 presidents were educated, pointed out that the government practically froze its budget even though the country recorded inflation of 287.9 percent last year and recently warned it might have to shut its doors given the budget crunch.

Earlier today, presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni defended the government's stance and called for a peaceful march.