Riot police in Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires, deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters outside Congress on Wednesday, as lawmakers gave initial approval to budget-slashing reforms in the Senate.
Demonstrators, opposing the measures which they claim will hurt millions of Argentines, threw petrol bombs and stones, setting one car ablaze. Local media described the chaotic scene as a “battlefield.”
The reform package, proposed by right-wing President Javier Milei, aims to revive the country’s struggling economy. It includes declaring a state of economic emergency, cutting pensions, and diluting labor rights. Leftist political parties, labor unions, and social organizations staunchly oppose these measures.
The motion, initially tied 36-36 in the Senate, was passed after Vice President and Senate leader Victoria Villarruel broke the tie.
“For those Argentines who suffer, who wait, who do not want to see their children leave the country. my vote is affirmative,” Villarruel stated.
The 328-article bill will now be scrutinized point by point before expected full approval on Thursday. It will then return to the lower house for final approval.
Ahead of the Senate’s decision, protesters chanted slogans such as “The country is not for sale, the country is defended,” and banners read, “How can a head of state hate the state?” Clashes erupted as demonstrators attempted to breach fences around Congress, leading to rock-throwing and police pepper spraying the crowd.
Observers and opposition MPs reported that dozens of demonstrators and several MPs needed medical attention. Legislator Cecilia Moreau told AFP news agency that at least five opposition MPs were hospitalized.
Officials reported that at least 20 police officers were injured and 15 people were arrested. Protesters reportedly set two vehicles on fire, including one belonging to a news organization.
“We cannot believe that in Argentina we are discussing a law that will put us back 100 years,” said Fabio Nunez, a 55-year-old protesting lawyer, quoted by AFP.
President Milei’s office issued a statement praising the security forces for repressing what it described as “terrorists” attempting a coup d’état. “We are going to change Argentina, we are going to make it the most liberal country in the world,” Mr. Milei declared at a conference in Buenos Aires.
The divisive bill, which was initially approved by the lower house in April after significant amendments, reflects President Milei’s campaign promise to drastically cut public spending.
Since taking office in 2023, Milei has halved the cabinet, slashed 50,000 public jobs, suspended new public works contracts, and removed fuel and transport subsidies, even as annual inflation approached 300%.
As Argentina braces for the full approval of the reforms, the nation’s deep divisions are starkly visible, with no immediate resolution in sight.
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