World Politics
Protesters and police clash in Argentina as Congress debates Milei's reform bill
The demonstrators sought to derail legislation sought by President Javier Milei.
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — In a dramatic escalation of tensions, Argentine riot police deployed water cannons and tear gas to disperse thousands of protesters outside the National Congress on Wednesday. The demonstrators had gathered to voice their opposition to President Javier Milei's proposed state overhaul and tax bills, which are seen as a critical test of his libertarian governance.
The day began with a carnival-like atmosphere in downtown Buenos Aires. Protesters played trumpets, danced, and purchased beer and grilled meat from impromptu street barbecues. However, the mood quickly soured as the crowds jostled and shoved against a line of police armed with shields and batons. Security forces, backed by armored cars with mounted water cannons, pushed back against protesters who hurled sticks, stones, and Molotov cocktails.
The clashes marked the most significant challenge to date for Milei's vision of governance and change. The presidency issued a statement condemning the protesters as "terrorists" who "attempted a coup d'état by attacking the normal functioning of the Argentine National Congress." Milei, speaking at a conference for a right-wing think tank at the Hilton Hotel in Buenos Aires, reaffirmed his commitment to transforming Argentina into the world's most liberal country.
The violence outside Congress prompted a shouting match inside as opposition senators attempted to pass a motion to pause the debate due to the clashes. The motion failed, and the debate continued. Milei's political party, Freedom Advances, holds a tiny minority of seats in Congress, and he has struggled to strike deals with the opposition.
Senators began debating two bills on Wednesday: a tax package that lowers the income tax threshold and a 238-article state reform bill, initially referred to as the "omnibus bill" due to its extensive 600 articles. This watered-down version still grants the president significant legislative powers in energy, pensions, and security, and includes measures to incentivize investment, deregulate the economy, and reduce the deficit.
The ensuing scuffles resulted in injuries for at least 20 officers, as reported by authorities, and the arrest of 15 individuals. Chaos ensued in the streets surrounding the central square, with protesters setting a car belonging to a local radio station ablaze and targeting motorbikes with Molotov cocktails. Police used pepper spray to disperse a line of demonstrators, sending at least four opposition lawmakers to the hospital, according to the left-wing Peronist party Unión por la Patria.
Miriam Rajovitcher, a 54-year-old primary school teacher, expressed concern over the potential loss of labor and pension rights if the law passed. Her school budget had already been slashed, her wages reduced, and food prices skyrocketed. Bankers, teachers, truckers, and workers from various trade unions held signs mocking Milei for his self-proclaimed "anarcho-capitalist" agenda and drastic spending cuts across the state. "How can a head of state hate the state?" one banner read.
After weeks of grueling negotiations to win over potential allies, Milei's two major bills surmounted a significant hurdle in late April, passing the lower house of Congress. If the Senate approves the bills with modifications, the lower house must concur.
Lucas Romero, director of Synopsis consultancy, emphasized the importance of Milei demonstrating his ability to pass laws in Congress rather than the content of the bills themselves. The package faces strong opposition from right-wing moderates and the Peronist movement, which has dominated Argentine politics for two decades. The Peronist bloc holds 33 of the 72 seats in the Senate, while Milei's party, Freedom Advances, possesses only seven. The bill requires 37 votes in the Senate to secure a majority.
Foreign investors and the International Monetary Fund, to which Argentina owes a substantial $44 billion, are closely monitoring the vote to assess Milei's capacity to build consensus with his opponents and deliver on his ambitions.
As darkness fell, the clashes continued, with ranks of shield-bearing officers and motorbike riders pushing back the protesters. Observers and opposition legislators reported that dozens of protesters and a few lawmakers sought medical attention following the confrontations. At least five opposition legislators were reportedly hospitalized, according to legislator Cecilia Moreau. Additionally, at least 40 individuals received treatment on the scene for pepper spray exposure, as per the Association Against Institutional Violence.
The unfolding drama outside Congress underscores the deep divisions within Argentine society over Milei's economic policies. As the Senate continues to debate the contentious bills, the nation watches closely, aware that the outcome will have far-reaching implications for Argentina's future.