Argentine riot police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters outside Congress in Buenos Aires on Wednesday. The protests escalated as lawmakers prepared to vote on state overhaul and tax bills proposed by President Javier Milei, marking a significant test of his libertarian vision for governance and change.
Thousands of demonstrators gathered around Congress as the Senate debated the legislation, urging lawmakers to reject Milei's program of austerity and economic deregulation. What started as a festive atmosphere with protesters playing music and grilling meat quickly turned tense as clashes erupted between the crowds and police armed with shields and batons.
Security forces, supported by armored vehicles with water cannons, pushed back protesters attempting to breach cordoned-off streets. In response to resistance from stone-throwing protesters, police deployed water cannons and tear gas. Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of arrests or injuries.
Earlier in the day, police used pepper spray to disperse protesters, resulting in four opposition lawmakers being hospitalized. Milei, who promised to address Argentina's economic crisis, faces challenges due to his party's limited representation in Congress and struggles to negotiate with the opposition.
Senators began debating two bills - a tax package lowering the income tax threshold and a state reform bill delegating legislative powers to the president in key areas such as energy and pensions. The revised bill aims to incentivize investment, deregulate the economy, and reduce the deficit by scrapping contentious provisions like union healthcare and national oil company privatization.
After passing the lower house in late April, Milei's bills face resistance from right-wing moderates and the Peronist movement loyal to former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. With Milei's party holding only seven out of 72 Senate seats, the bill requires 37 votes for approval.
Foreign investors and the International Monetary Fund, to which Argentina owes $44 billion, closely monitor the vote to assess Milei's ability to build consensus and implement his agenda.
