Argentina's Senate accepted President Milei's radical overhaul. Now things get complicated
Argentina’s Senate began what’s likely to be an all-night voting marathon on the details of President Javier Milei’s sweeping proposals to slash spending and boost his own powers after giving the plan overall approval in a narrow vote
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina's Senate began what's likely to be an all-night voting marathon on the details of President Javier Milei 's sweeping proposals to slash spending and boost his own powers early Thursday, shortly after giving the plan overall approval in a narrow vote.
Senators voted 37 to 36 late Wednesday to give provisional approval to the two bills after a daylong heated debate while thousands of protesters poured into the streets, clashing with police officers, burning cars and throwing Molotov cocktails. Hundreds of federal security forces pushed back with rounds of tear gas and water cannons.
The vote — decided by a tiebreaking vote from Vice President Victoria Villarruel — delivered a major boost to Milei, whose efforts to overhaul the government and economy have run into tough resistance in Argentina's opposition-dominated Congress.
“Tonight is a triumph for the Argentine people and the first step toward the recovery of our greatness," Milei posted on X, calling his bills “the most most ambitious legislative reform of the last 40 years.”
