Police in Buenos Aires have used water cannon and teargas to tackle violent protests as Argentina’s Senate narrowly voted to approve the first set of harsh austerity measures proposed by President Javier Miliei.
The result came after protesters urging senators to reject Milei’s programme of cuts and economic deregulation hurled sticks, stones, and molotov cocktails at police, and overturned cars.
Dozens of protesters were treated by medics in the streets and police said 20 officers had been injured in the clashes.
At least five opposition lawmakers said they were hospitalised after police pepper sprayed them.
Thousands of bankers, teachers, truckers, and workers from a range of other unions had converged around Congress throughout the day, banging drums, blasting trumpets, and chanting, “Our country is not for sale!” and “We will defend the state!”
After 11 hours of heated debate, senators voted 37 to 36 in favour of the bill late on Wednesday, delivering an initial legislative victory to the libertarian leader in his campaign to deliver on his ambitious agenda. But the lawmakers must still approve individual measures in an article-by-article vote set to last through the night.
If the Senate approves the bills with modifications, the lower house still has to approve them before Milei can officially pass his first law since taking office in December.
The president is due to attend the G7 leader summit, which begins in Italy on Thursday, at the invitation of far-right prime minister Giorgia Meloni.
