Argentina Police Clash With Opponents of Omnibus Reform Bill
Police in Argentina have used rubber bullets to disperse protesters outside Congress in Buenos Aires as lawmakers discussed newly elected President Javier Milei’s comprehensive economic, social, and political reform package.
During the session, opposition legislators walked out of the building to condemn the police action, but later returned to resume the debate, which extended past midnight.
Local media reported three people injured and several arrests. Additionally, the Buenos Aires press union stated that at least a dozen journalists were hit by rubber bullets, with one sustaining injuries to the face.
These events unfolded on the second day of what is anticipated to be a prolonged debate on Milei’s omnibus reform bill. The 53-year-old, who holds libertarian and anarcho-capitalist beliefs, secured a substantial electoral victory in October, riding a wave of dissatisfaction over decades of economic turmoil characterized by debt, extensive money printing, inflation, and fiscal deficit.
Milei commenced his tenure by devaluing the peso by more than 50 percent, cutting state subsidies for fuel and transport, reducing the number of ministries by half, and abolishing numerous regulations to deregulate the economy.
His holistic reform package spans various aspects of public and private life, encompassing privatizations, cultural matters, the penal code, divorce laws, and the status of football clubs.
The President’s initiatives have sparked significant dissent, leading to protests and strikes just two months into his term. A journalist from Al Jazeera, reporting from Thursday’s protest, highlighted that Milei pledges his austerity measures and reforms will alleviate Argentina’s high inflation and revitalize the economy. Nonetheless, the unrest underscores the arduous road ahead and the President’s willingness to confront opposition.
This series of events reflects the profound challenges and societal divisions as Argentina grapples with Milei’s unconventional and far-reaching policies.
