On Friday, after days of debate, Argentina’s lower chamber of deputies approved President Javier Milei’s reform bill in a vote of 144 in favor and 109 against, opening the way for a decisive vote in the Senate.

Over the past few days, flag-waving protesters opposed to Milei’s reforms have clashed repeatedly with riot police outside the congressional building, at times throwing rocks at them.

The bill is key to Milei’s reform plans for Argentina’s struggling economy, which is suffering from inflation exceeding 200%, depleted foreign currency reserves, and debt repayments owned to creditors and investors. The plans in question vary from economic policy to privatization of state entities. 

The vote followed a long and intense debate in the lower chamber, with deputies for the main center-left Peronist opposition bloc, Union por la Patria, rejecting Milei’s policies while supporters urged them not to reject the bill.

Milei’s La Libertad Avanza party only holds a few seats of the 257-seat chamber but was still able to get support from allies including from the main center-right Juntos por el Cambio coalition of parties to move the bill forward.

Anti-government protests in Argentina

On the second day of anti-government protests in Argentina on Thursday, 15 were injured and two others were detained in front of Congress, where President Javier Milei's reforms had been laid for consideration, local media reported. 

Sputnik reported that authorities had interfered and assaulted protesters using batons, rubber bullets, and gas after protestors blocked the roads, causing traffic. However, protesters were not deterred and continued protesting in front of the congressional building while lawmakers decided whether or not Milei's reforms would be approved. 

This comes after Congress Speaker Martin Menem revealed that the presidential commandment consideration would resume on Friday. "The proposal to adjourn has been approved, the session will resume tomorrow at 10:00 [13:00 GMT]," he said.