Widespread clashes erupted in Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires, over budget cut reforms. On Wednesday night, June 12th, protesters gathered in front of the Senate, the upper house of the country’s parliament. Authorities used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the demonstrators.
Despite the protests, Argentine lawmakers have approved the budget cut reforms.
Protesters claim that these reforms will negatively impact millions of Argentines. To prevent the approval of the reforms, protesters threw petrol bombs and stones. They also set two cars on fire.
Several people were injured in the clashes between the police and the protesters. Local media compared the scene to a “battlefield.”
Argentina’s right-wing President Javier Milei proposed the reforms, aiming to revive the country’s fragile economy. The reforms will declare an economic emergency in Argentina, reducing government pensions and labor rights.
Opposition parties, labor unions, and social organizations have opposed President Milei’s proposal.
The budget cut reform was initially deadlocked in the Senate with a 36-36 vote. However, Vice President Victoria Villarruel cast her deciding vote, leading to the approval of the proposal.
Before casting her vote, Villarruel stated, “For those Argentines who are struggling, who are waiting, and who do not want their children to leave the country… my vote is yes.”
The reform proposal under Article 328 will now undergo a line-by-line review. The final approval is expected on Thursday. After this step, the proposal will go to the lower house of the parliament to be enacted into law.
The proposal was first passed in the lower house of parliament in April, though it underwent significant amendments beforehand.
President Milei, who took office in 2023, had vowed to cut government spending as a key part of his administration. The current reform initiative is a step in fulfilling that promise.
