Clashes in Buenos Aires over President Mire’s reforms

Riot police in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse protesters outside Congress as lawmakers on Wednesday gave preliminary approval to a budget-cut overhaul in Argentina’s Senate.

Demonstrators, who said the measures would harm millions of Argentines, threw petrol bombs and rocks and set a car on fire.

Several injuries were reported, with local media describing the scene as a “battlefield” on Wednesday.

Right-wing President Javier Mire has proposed reforms aimed at reviving the country’s flagging economy, including declaring an economic emergency, cutting pensions and diluting labor rights.

These measures are opposed by left-wing parties, trade unions and social organizations.

But the motion, which initially ended in a 36-36 tie in the Senate, gained preliminary approval Wednesday after House Speaker Victoria Villarruel, the vice president, broke the tie.

“For those Argentines who are suffering, waiting, who do not want to see their children leave the country… my vote is yes,” Vice President and Senate leader Ms Villarreal said after breaking the tie.

The 328-section bill will now be examined item by item, with full approval expected on Thursday.

It will then return to the House of Commons for final processing.

Before the bill passed the Senate, protesters chanted: “The country is not for sale, the country is for defense”, while a banner read: “How can a head of state hate the country?”

Earlier in the day, scuffles broke out after demonstrators threw rocks at police, who pepper-sprayed them, as they tried to get through the fence toward Congress.

Observers and opposition lawmakers said dozens of people Demonstrators and a handful of lawmakers received medical attention. Lawmaker Cecilia Moro told AFP that at least five opposition lawmakers in the crowd were hospitalized.

At least 20 police officers were also injured, officials said. Security forces said they arrested 15 people.

Police later dispersed the protesters, who reportedly set fire to two vehicles, including that of a news organization.

Agence France-Presse quoted protest lawyer Fabio Nunez, 55, as saying: “We cannot believe that in Argentina we are discussing a law that would take us back 100 years.”

President Milai’s office issued a statement thanking security forces for suppressing what it called “terrorists” who attempted a coup.

“We will change Argentina, we will make it the freest country in the world,” Mr Milai told a conference in Buenos Aires.

The controversial bill was approved by the House of Commons in April after significant changes.

Mr Mire takes office in 2023 and has vowed to take tough measures on public spending.

On the campaign trail, he even wielded a chainsaw during speeches to demonstrate his determination to do so.

He has since halved the cabinet, slashed 50,000 public jobs, suspended new public works contracts and scrapped fuel and transport subsidies despite annual inflation approaching 300%.