Argentina’s new president Javier Milei took the world by storm as he halved his Cabinet, leaving only nine Ministries.
On Sunday, December 10, the President presided over the incoming cabinet’s oaths at the Casa Rosada Presidential residence.
Notably, there were only nine new ministers present at the event instead of the usual 18 with the ceremony taking place behind closed doors.
This came barely one month after President Milei ascended to power defeating his main opponent former economic minister Sergio Massa.
During an address to Argentinians after his victory, Milei declared that his win marked the beginning of the “reconstruction of Argentina.”
“Today begins the end of Argentina’s decline,” he said. “Today ends the impoverishing model of the omnipresent state, which only benefits some while the majority suffers.”
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In addition, one of his promises in his series of radical reforms was slashing public spending by 15 percent.
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Also, he declared he would lead the country into switching the Argentinian peso to the United States dollar.
Before the ministers took their oaths on Sunday, the new administration revealed its first ‘Decree of Necessity and Urgency’ (DNU).
Notably, the DNU is a type of a presidential decree which allows legislation of the Cabinet without going through Congress.
Ministries merged
The halving of the ministries by the new administration was further confirmed in the 76-page document.
According to the Argentinian law, the executive power must first inform the Congress of the DNU after it is published within the next ten days.
On the other hand, a special commission with members from both chambers analyze the decree and vote for its validity.
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Additionally, the Chamber of Deputies and Senate then have to vote for or against the decree.
In the new Cabinet, the Ministries of Education and Labor were merged into a new Ministry of Human Capital.
Notably, the Ministry of Health survived the axe as it was initially doomed to be merged into the new Human Capital Ministry.
The 53-year-old new head of state has also frequently staked out conservative positions on social issues.
Milei, whose abrasive style has drawn comparisons with former US President Donald Trump, has been against sex education and abortion.