Argentine Lawmakers Advance Reform

Argentine lawmakers took a first step toward approving President Javier Milei's sweeping economic, social and political reform package, which has sparked angry opposition protests.

The bill won the "general" approval in principle of the lower house of Congress, whose members will examine the plans of libertarian and self-described anarcho-capitalist Milei in detail next week.

"History will judge them according to their work in favor of the Argentines or for the continued impoverishment of the people," a presidential statement said.

Milei won a resounding election victory in October, riding a wave of anger over decades of economic crisis in the South American nation, where annual inflation stands at over 200 percent and poverty levels are at 40 percent.

Milei began his term by devaluing the peso by more than 50 percent, cutting state subsidies for fuel and transport, reducing the number of ministries by half, and scrapping hundreds of rules so as to deregulate the economy.

His reform package touches on many areas of public and private life, from privatizations to cultural issues, the penal code, divorce and the status of football clubs.

The Chamber of Deputies approved the package in principle by 144 votes to 109 on the third day of a marathon debate accompanied by protests and clashes outside.

Protesters and police clash outside the Argentine Congress after lawmakers approve President Javier Milei's sweeping economic, social and political reform package.

Anti-government activists, including union members and supporters of left-wing political parties, plan to continue holding protests outside the National Congress in Buenos Aires.