The set of deregulatory reforms of ultraliberal President Javier Milei took a first step on Friday in the Argentine Parliament, which approved it on its “general” principle, without presaging a delicate examination to come in detail, in particular on privatizations and powers delegated to the executive.
“History will judge them according to their work in favor of the Argentines”
On the third day of marathon sessions in the hemicycle, against a backdrop of demonstrations and clashes with the police, the Chamber of Deputies approved the so-called “Omnibus Law” project by 144 votes for and 109 against. Symbolic success for President Javier Milei, especially given his parliamentary minority (3rd force), this approval “in general” is partly due to the numerous concessions made in recent weeks to the pharaonic initial text of the executive, of 664 articles initially less than half.
The law affects many areas of the public and private spheres, from the electoral system to education, from culture to privatizations, the Penal Code, commercial, self-defense, firefighting, divorce, the status of football clubs … A few hours before the vote, the presidency had in a press release ordered the deputies “to demonstrate on which side of History they want to be (…) History will judge them according to their work in favor of the Argentines or in favor of the continued impoverishment of the people.
From Tuesday, deputies will examine the reform package in detail, then vote “in particular”, theme by theme, or even article by article. Many MPs who approved the law in principle have announced that they will demand additional changes.