The economic reform package presented by Argentine President Javier Miley received approval from the Senate, but with amendments, while police and demonstrators clashed violently outside Congress, as the authorities fired tear gas and water cannons, and dozens were injured.
“For those Argentines who are suffering, who are waiting, who do not want to see their children leave the country […]My vote is affirmative, after a 36-36 tie in the general vote on the text, the President of the Senate and Vice President of the country, Victoria Villarroel, announced. A point-by-point discussion followed, and it was approved with amendments. The measure now moves to the House of Representatives to get the final green light.
The Argentine presidency celebrated the “historic approval” of the economic deregulation law as “the most ambitious legislative reform of the last 40 years.” It should be remembered that Javier Miley’s party represents the minority in both houses of Congress – which the president has already described as a “rat’s nest” – and that yesterday’s Senate approval is Miley’s first legislative success since his arrival at Casa Rosada in December. .
The path of this project was difficult, as it failed in the first attempt in the House of Representatives, and in order to restore it, the government made concessions until it reduced its original content of 600 articles to about a third. Among the current 238 articles, the possibility of privatizing some companies was approved, but the negotiations left out of their scope Aerolíneas Argentinas, as well as the labor reform that extends the probationary period and makes the compensation system for layoffs more flexible.
A controversial incentive for large investments was also approved, offering tax, customs and exchange rate benefits for 30 years for foreign capital exceeding $200 million. Elon Musk, who participated in a video conference in which Miley presented his economic theory, encouraged Argentines to “give full support to the president to implement this experiment because it is clear that previous policies did not work.”
During the Senate session, thousands of people gathered in Congress to protest Miley’s reform package. Police repelled a group that tried to overcome the barriers isolating Congress with tear gas, rubber bullets and water jets. Protesters responded by throwing stones at police officers, sparking a fierce battle and setting two cars on fire.
Seven people, including five opposition lawmakers, were taken to hospital and dozens were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. A spokesman for the Ministry of Security confirmed to AFP that at least ten people were arrested and nine officers were injured.
With agencies
