Arturo Illia’s Presidency and the Argentine Revolution
Arturo Illia’s Presidency
Arturo Illia’s presidency, with Carlos H. Perette as Vice President, began on October 12th. Illia outlined several key aspects of his agenda:
- Respect the independence of the judiciary
- Respect provincial autonomy
- Work to eliminate unemployment
- Take full advantage of all factors of production
- Defend the value of the national currency
- Cancel oil contracts with foreign companies
- Improve the technological level of agriculture
- Modify land tenure to facilitate access to ownership for producers through an appropriate credit system
- Increase exportable surpluses to complete industrial development
- Find new markets without ideological exclusion
- Strengthen trade union action, but separate it from political party influence
- Improve access to education and culture for the wider population
- Reaffirm a radical American politics for the integration of the country
- Claim the right to the Falkland Islands and Argentine Antarctica
- Call upon the Armed Forces to reintegrate into the democratic process
Early Measures and Challenges
One of the first measures of the Illia administration was the cancellation of oil contracts with foreign companies, signed during Arturo Frondizi’s government. This decision, part of the electoral platform, caused serious supply problems. Fuel had to be imported, and the country suffered a considerable loss of foreign exchange due to compensation for the indiscriminate manner in which the cancellation took place.
On January 15, 1964, Parliament considered the draft Law on Medicines, which recognized medicine as a social good in the service of public health.
In March of that year, the new Statute of Political Parties was released, allowing the incorporation of Peronism into civic life.
The Confrontation Plan
The Professional Associations Act, passed during the Illia government, attempted to curb union power. However, it stimulated a strong reaction from the affected sectors.
Union demands included:
- Revision of pay
- Maximum price fixing for essential goods
- Cost control and employee participation in organizations created for that purpose
- Full employment
- Reinstatement of those dismissed for union reasons
- Pension updates
- Defense of the agricultural sector
- Prioritization of public education
- A national housing plan
On January 16, 1964, the General Confederation of Labor (CGT), arguing that their claims were not being addressed by the Executive, announced its “Confrontation Plan.” The Confrontation Plan was a new form of protest by the unions and the CGT against Illia. As a consequence, over 10,000 companies were peacefully occupied, leading to Illia granting some concessions.
The Argentine Revolution
On June 27th, Commander-in-Chief General Pistarini contacted General Ongania and Alsogaray to announce that it was time to carry out the coup. That night, several important objectives were under military control, including the Post Office building, telephone lines, and radio and TV channels. President Illia resigned, and Ongania assumed command.
The Commanders-in-Chief assumed political and military authority of the Republic, ousting all national, provincial, and municipal members of the Supreme Court of Justice and the Attorney General’s Office.
Political parties were also dissolved, and the Statute of the Argentine Revolution was enforced.