More protests against Macri in Argentina

Argentina’s unions brought tens of thousands of people into the capital’s streets on Friday to protest government job cuts, the elimination of subsidies and other policies of President Mauricio Macri.

Closing out three days of demonstrations that included road blockages across the country, columns of protesters waving blue and white Argentine flags converged in front of the presidential palace to voice their anger at Macri’s government.

“If they don’t hear our clamour, if they don’t give us answers, there will be a social conflict,” said Pablo Micheli, secretary general of the Argentine Workers’ Union. “If they don’t listen to us, sooner or later, there will be a nationwide strike.”

Thousands of state employees have been fired since proliberal US backed Macri came to power in December vowing to cut bloated spending. The job cuts and the slashing of utility subsidies have stoked unrest in a nation with a long tradition of providing generous state jobs and benefits.