It’s not Philippa’s fault, of course. She inherited the existence of the Social Support Fund from the previous government.
Where the current presidential couple is to blame is in their continuation of this institution with the First Lady at its helm.
They are persisting with it in a stubborn way, triggering yet another minor crisis in public life.
Especially now that Mrs. Karsera has decided to return to her professional duties and continue her career in the diplomatic service, these presidential charities feel outdated.
Evita Perón was loved by the people of Argentina and became famous for her charitable work, which helped boost the popularity of her husband, Juan Perón, who rose to power three times—sometimes through democratic means, other times through coups. This was in the 1950s.
Since then, in the developed world, governments have ensured the creation of structures that address citizens’ problems collectively, not on a personal or arbitrary basis.
They established procedures through which citizens could claim benefits.
For example, the First Lady of France or Germany does not have a fund where anonymous donors contribute so that she can distribute money to those who come to her, as Evita Perón did and as Cyprus’s First Ladies have been doing over the last decade.
Of course, needs still exist, and private initiative—whether motivated by a desire to help or for other reasons—continues to exist as well.
However, individuals who want to contribute do so in different ways. If they wish to donate large sums, they create their own foundations.
If they want to give smaller amounts, they donate directly to causes they deem worthy or through foundations they trust and agree with.
Right now, political parties and the presidency have set up an entire debate (which will likely soon involve the courts) over whether the names of donors should be made public, as well as whether the names of the beneficiaries should be disclosed. But this isn’t the real issue.
The real issue is the existence of the Fund itself and the First Lady’s involvement with it.
And if, in a few years, we have a female president (hypothetically speaking), will her husband—if she is married—abandon his professional career and take on the role of First Gentleman, engaging in charitable activities with funds from anonymous or well-known donors?