Chaos in Córdoba: Passerini bet on a lukewarm administration and conflicts exploded for him
Passerini led Córdoba's capital into a widespread crisis
porEditorial Team
Argentina
Passerini avoided facing the problems, postponed key decisions, and now the residents are paying all the consequences
Since he took office, Passerini has shown an unprecedented lack of solve, which in practice has meant giving in, not making adjustments, and letting problems grow. Meanwhile, as the country was changing and the president was saying "there's no money," the municipality kept expanding its political staff and operating on autopilot. Today, that procrastination is being paid for with a city that is overwhelmed, expensive, and paralyzed.
Passerini didn't take advantage of the political tailwind of 2024 to reorganize the municipality and set limits. The time to reshuffle and start over has passed, and what he didn't do then, he now faces all at once. The conflicts he avoided for calculation have now become uncontrollable.
La problemática de los naranjitas sigue afectando a los conductores cordobeses.
The drop in revenue due to unpayable taxes, and the expulsion of unicorn companies like Mercado Libre, are now costing dearly. The Kirchnerist Passerini now has no room for new agreements or power to negotiate. The conflict that was avoided has doubled.
To govern is not to sign inherited checks, it's to make fiscally responsible decisions when necessary. The improvised mayor chose to please everyone, but he has been left without political support or funds.
Gremios municipales reclaman nuevos aumentos y como Passerini no achicó el Estado, ahroa no tiene como financiarlo.
Collapsed transportation, overflowing subsidies
The bus system takes $11 billion per month and the service remains deficient. The money isn't enough to cover even what is collected. Half of the units are in poor condition and residents pay with their time and their wallets.
Instead of putting out a tender, the inept Passerini effectively extended SiBus and FAM, and placed on the municipal government the burden of salaries, charges, and even the rent of obsolete units. There is no company, only expenses.
The municipality pays for buses that don't run and for drivers who aren't enough. It's a system that consumes resources but doesn't provide solutions. Another ticking time bomb left active.
El servicio de transporte urbano en Córdoba es cada día peor.
Expensive garbage, dirty streets
Waste collection consumes 20% of the municipal budget and the city remains full of bags on every corner. There are three concessionary companies and 1,600 COyS agents. However, Cordoba residents don't see on the streets what they pay in taxes.
The Surrbac union secured increases well above inflation in 2024. This year, it has again demanded the same, but the money is no longer there. Debts have been added to the former Afip, the mutual, and the health insurance.
The city is dirty, contracts are expiring, and no one dares to review what doesn't work. Passerini preferred not to argue with the unions. Now, the service is collapsing and the cost is multiplying.
El Surrbac tensó la paritaria y la ciudad paga más por un servicio de recolección de basura que no mejora.
Strategic services without planning
Aguas Cordobesas has a contract until 2027, but there is no longer time for a serious tender. There is no bid document, no strategy, no public discussion. Another patch from the inept management of the pro-Kirchnerist mayor.
The mayor also didn't promote any structural redesign of the service. The network is aging, maintenance is scarce, and the cost for users remains high. Another missed opportunity.
What could have been started in 2024 is now out of time. What was urgent was postponed, and now the city is paying the consequences of not having started on time.
El municipio quiere regular las apps de transporte, impulsando una reforma que dejaría sin trabajo a 15.000 choferes de aplicación.
Transportation apps: what was left untouched
Uber, Didi, and Cabify have grown due to the inefficiency of public transportation, but the municipality decided to ignore them and constantly pursue them. The TSJ ruling ordered this since 2019. Passerini let the opportunity pass and now has decided to do so by pursuing drivers, and restricting the activity to the detriment of 15,000 jobs.
Only now is the municipality reactivating the debate, pushed by protests from both sides. Once again, nothing was anticipated and everything is exploding at once. The problem wasn't new and now it's blowing up in his face.
Instead of organizing the system, the choice was made not to "step on anyone's toes." But managing without bothering anyone is letting the city self-destruct. That's what's happening today thanks to the Kirchnerist, Daniel Passerini.
