On the night of December 19, the Buenos Aires middle class marched toward the House of Government, the Congress, the presidential residence in Olivos and Cavallo’s home. This is a second Argentina that embodies the middle-class frustration who as from November 30 saw their deposits and salaries restricted. It was the most stunning protest that rushed the Economy Minister’s departure. It was the call of formal Argentines who hold bank accounts and credit cards.

The Plaza de Mayo and the downtown of Buenos Aires were stages of protest on December 20 where militant social groups with strong political and ideological convictions participated. This third Argentina has more diverse social elements and violent incidents escalated. It was a protest from militant Argentina.

On that night and the early hours of December 21, robberies and lootings by common criminals in many country spots including the Capital depicted the total collapse of public security.

It was the dynamics of the social crisis which this week accelerated the pace of the political and economic crisis as to the inescapable default and devaluation, the Economy Minister’s departure and the fall of the President.

De la Rúa steps down with only 4% of positive image of his administration, the longest recession of history, unprecedented unemployment and the worst social unrest since 1919.

As to the new PJ government, unless Argentina rebuilds political leadership there is no way out of the crisis. Rebuilding leadership does not only entail replacing the President but also changing the attitude of the political class as a whole.

Unless the country builds a genuine leadership that links the political and social fields, the economic, political and social crisis gripping the country is unlikely to be overcome.