Argentina’s Senate narrowly approved President Javier Milei’s overhaul and tax bills after senators voted 37 to 36, with Vice President Victoria Villarruel casting the tiebreaking vote, marking the first legislative win for the libertarian leader, Associated Press reports.
The bills aim to grant broad powers to the president in various sectors and include controversial measures like incentives for foreign investors, tax amnesty, and plans to privatize state-owned firms. Approval of individual measures is still required. Protests outside Congress turned violent, with injuries and arrests reported.
Milei, struggling to pass legislation due to his party’s minority in Congress, has relied on executive powers to slash state spending and implement his economic policies. The reforms have faced strong opposition from the left-leaning Peronist movement and trade unions, worried about losing labor and pension rights.
