Violent protests break out in Argentina as spending bill advances

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Buenos Aires on Wednesday while Argentine lawmakers approved President Javier Milei’s legislation to cut government spending. Newswire footage showed protesters flipping and burning cars and throwing Molotov cocktails. Hundreds of security officers used tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets to control the mobs. The president congratulated security officers for repressing terror groups that attempted a coup by attacking the Argentine National Congress, Milei’s office said in a statement.

The bill to reform the tax code was narrowly approved, with Vice President Victoria Villarruel breaking the 36-36 vote tie. Villarruel said she cast her vote for Argentines who are suffering and who do not want to see their children leave the country. The Senate must now approve each section of the bill package individually before sending the updated legislation back to the lower chamber for another round of approval.

What was the legislation about? The bill aims to restart the Argentine economy by incentivizing businesses and cutting government spending. Milei, a member of the country’s Libertarian Party, campaigned on the platform of slashing government spending and even appeared on the political trail with a chainsaw in hand. Since his 2023 election, the president has cut 50,000 government jobs and halted public works contracts.

Dig deeper: Read my report in The Sift on the anti-West BRICS economic group welcoming Argentina last year.