Argentina’s Senate has narrowly approved President Javier Milei controversial economic reform packages with the vote taking place as violent clashes raged between protestors and riot police outside Congress. Demonstrators in Buenos Aires, who say the measures will hurt millions of Argentines threw petrol bombs, stones and setting cars alight. A number of people were reported injured with local media describing the scene on June 12, 2024 as a battle field.
The reforms aimed at reviving the country’s flagging economy include declaring a state of economic emergency, cutting pensions and watering down labor rights. Javier Milei, a right-wing economist was elected in the midst of a deep economic crisis which he is still struggling to stem after six months in office. The annual inflation has currently close to 300 percent while more than half of the Argentines are now living in poverty.
Javier Milei’s shock measures are opposed by the leftist political parties, labor unions and social organizations. But the motion, which was initially tied 36-36 in the Senate was preliminary passed on June 12, 2024, after the head of the chamber Vice-President Victoria Villaruel broke the tie. “For those Argentinians who suffer, who wait, who do not want to see their children leave the country, my vote is affirmative, the Vice-President said after breaking the tie.
The 328 Article Bill will now be surveyed point by point before its expected full approval on June 13, 2024. It will then return to the lower-house for the final go ahead. Ahead of the bill’s passing in the Senate, protestors chanted “The country is not for sale, the country is defended,” while one banner read: how can a head of a state hate the state.
Scuffles broke out when protestors tried to make way towards Congress through fences with demonstrators throwing rocks at officers who pepper sprayed them Observers and Opposition MPs said dozens of demonstrators and a handful of MPs recived medical attention At least five MPs in the crowd were hospitalized, legislator Cecila Moreau told an international media agency. At least 20 police officers were injured and 15 demonstrators were arrested.
“We cannot believe that in Argentina we are discussing a law that will put us back 100 years, Fabio Nunez a 55-year-old protesting lawyer was quoted by an international media agency. President Milei’s office issued a statement thanking the security forces for repressing what it described as terrorists attempting to carry out a coup d’ etat.
“We are going to change Argentina, we are going to make it one of the most liberal countries in the world,” said Javier Milei at a conference in Buenos Aires. The highly divisive bill was approved by the lower house in April after significant amendments were made to it. Javier Milei came to office in 2023 after vowing to take a chainsaw to public spending.
While on the campaign trail, he even brandished a chainsaw while making a speech to symbolize his determination to do so. He has since cut the cabinet in half and slashed 50,000 public jobs, suspended new public work contracts and ripped away fuel and transport subsidies.
