Argentine Senate passes Javier Milei’s reform bill as protests rage outside

Argentina's Senate passes key economic reform bill amid protests, setting stage for investment and privatization in embattled economy.

Argentina's Senate passed a sprawling bill on Wednesday that is key to libertarian President Javier Milei's economic reform plans, while protesters set fires and clashed with police in the streets outside Congress.

The upper house was divided down the middle over the bill, which was passed in a general vote after the head of the chamber, Vice President Victoria Villarruel, broke the 36-36 tie.

The bill passed after a marathon debate, with senators now set to vote on each article of the package designed to boost investment by privatising state entities and providing incentives for businesses.

The bill initially passed the lower house of deputies in April, but will now head back for another vote following changes in the Senate.

"Today there are two Argentinas," Villarruel said as she voted in favor of the reform. "A violent Argentina that sets a car on fire, throws rocks and debates the exercise of democracy, and another Argentina with workers waiting with great pain and sacrifice for the change that they voted for."

Milei's government, which controls only a minority of seats in both chambers, had been bargaining to win over allies. It knew the bill would face changes, but had been hoping to at least eke out the general approval.

The main left-leaning Peronist opposition bloc, closely allied to the unions, had voted down what is known as the "bases" bill, with voting still pending on a separate fiscal package.