Important legislative victory for Javier Milei with the Bases Law: controversies and disturbances mark the path towards reforms in Argentina

The president of Argentina, Javier Milei, achieved an important legislative victory with the approval in the Senate of the Bases Law, after six months in power. This legislation, which now must return to the Chamber of Deputies for its final sanction, marks a milestone in the management of the libertarian president and promises to bring profound changes to the South American country. However, the debate surrounding this key reform was not without controversies and disturbances, with protesters clashing with police outside the Congress. The Senate vote was closely contested and was decided by the vote in favor of Vice President Victoria Villarruel, which sparked a strong controversy. While inside the Parliament the points of the Bases Law were being discussed, outside there were moments of tension with protesters throwing rocks, bottles, and molotov cocktails. These disturbances reflect the existing divisions in Argentine society regarding the policies proposed by Milei's government. The Bases Law grants President Milei extraordinary powers for a year by declaring a "public emergency" in various areas, allowing him to make decisions without going through Congress. Although with limitations, this measure represents a significant change in how the country will be managed in the coming years. The government has committed not to intervene in certain public bodies and to guarantee funding for science, technology, and innovation projects. One of the most controversial aspects of the Bases Law is the Regime of Incentives for Large Investments (RIGI), which aims to attract capital for strategic projects in sectors such as energy, agriculture, mining, and infrastructure. While the government believes that these measures will boost the Argentine economy, there are criticisms pointing out that they will favor large companies at the expense of small and medium-sized enterprises, leading to unemployment and exploitation of natural resources. Another relevant aspect of the Bases Law is the possibility of selling some state-owned companies, although on a smaller scale than the original proposal. Only two companies, Intercargo and Enarsa, can be privatized, while others will be subject to private concession. This measure aims to modernize the public sector and promote investment, keeping strategic companies such as YPF and Aerolíneas Argentinas under state control. In the labor field, the Bases Law introduces changes that seek to encourage the growth of formal private employment. Benefits are offered to employers who regularize their workers, but sanctions against "informal" work are eliminated, which has generated criticism and concerns about labor precarization. The creation of the figure of the independent worker with collaborators has also sparked debate about its implications on working conditions. In summary, the approval of the Bases Law in the Senate marks a before and after in Javier Milei's management in Argentina. This first legislative victory of the libertarian government lays the groundwork for a series of reforms that promise to transform various aspects of Argentine society. However, the controversies and protests surrounding this process reflect the differences and challenges facing the country amid a polarized political landscape.