Javier Milei obtained his first legislative victory. The Argentine Chamber of Deputies approved his deregulatory mega-law, called “Bases and Starting Points for the Freedom of Argentines.” After days of negotiations in Congress and several changes to the original bill, the legislation passed with 144 votes in favor and 109 against .
The Argentine deputies began meeting last Wednesday at 10 a.m. and ended voting on Friday after 6 p.m. According to parliamentary rules, what was approved was the law in general, but it still needs to be voted on article by article. The latter will begin on Tuesday, Feb. 6.
The local press named the legislation the "Omnibus Law," since it initially had more than 600 articles covering a wide range of topics. Finally, the text that the deputies approved had less than 300 articles and many modifications, partly a product of the government's negotiations with regional governors.
🚨 #ULTIMAHORA | El presidente argentino @JMilei logra que la Cámara de Diputados apruebe su mega ley desreguladora, aunque falta la votación por artículos, pautada para el próximo martes. pic.twitter.com/Xj0k60jS4h
— VOZ (@VozMediaUSA) February 2, 2024
These negotiations were carried out by Martín Menem, president of the Chamber of Deputies, and by Guillermo Francos, minister of the interior. The former was in contact with the opponents until the last moment in order to get the votes.
The extensive legislative day, seasoned by near-100-degree temperatures in Buenos Aires, also featured violent protests from the left, which were repressed by law enforcement. At the peak of tension, Kirchnerist and leftist deputies left Congress to confront the police.
Milei arrived at the Casa Rosada as with arguably the least strength in Congress of any president since the return to democracy in 1983. His party had only 40 of the 257 deputies and eight of the 72 senators, so the executive branch began to forge alliances since January to achieve this legislative victory.
"With the spirit of restoring the economic and social order based on the liberal doctrine embodied in the National Constitution of 1853, we present the attached Bill to the Honorable Congress of the Nation and express our firm will to undertake, immediately and with suitable instruments, the fight against adverse factors that threaten the freedom of Argentines; that prevent the correct functioning of the market economy and are the cause of the impoverishment of the Nation. We promote these reforms in the name of the May Revolution of 1810 and in defense of the life, liberty and property of Argentines," reads the initial text of the law.
— Oficina del Presidente (@OPRArgentina) February 2, 2024
Milei celebrates the approval, highlights opposition deputies who voted in favor
The President's Office disseminated a statement on social media, stating, "History with honor to all those who understood the historical context and chose to end the privileges of the caste and the corporate republic."
In turn, he congratulated the those who helped pass the legislation despite ideological differences with the government. Specifically, he mentioned Rodrigo de Loredo (UCR), Cristian Ritondo (PRO) and Miguel Ángel Pichetto (Hacemos por Nuestro País).
