The far-right Milei pushes by law up to six years in prison for the promoters of social protests
The measure is part of a project of more than 600 articles that grants legislative powers to the president in economic, fiscal, tariff and even electoral matters
The far-right Javier Milei has sent a bill to Congress this Wednesday that declares the country a "public emergency" and includes 664 articles that change the root of much of Argentina's political, social and economic structure. The omnibus law, as it is called for its extension and variety of topics, involves the transfer to the executive branch of broad legislative powers in economic, financial, social security, fiscal, health and even electoral matters. The project, which will be dealt with in extraordinary sessions by Congress, also includes a tightening of sanctions against social protest. Milei intends that any "intentional and temporary congregation of three or more people" be considered a manifestation punishable by up to six years in prison if it prevented free movement or the provision of public services.
The text sent to Congress, Milei's most forceful political initiative since he took power in Argentina, at the beginning of the month, warns that any demonstration must be notified in advance and the Ministry of Security may oppose or propose changes. In addition, the social organizers must declare who are responsible for the calls to facilitate their identification in case they deserve criminal sanctions. The project takes the form of a law to the anti-protest protocol signed two weeks ago by the Minister of Security, Patricia Bullrich.
The bill submitted on Wednesday is joined by other previous actions that have increased social discontent during the first three weeks in the Casa Rosada. First, it was the decalogue of economic measures announced by the Minister of Economy, Luis Caputo, who devalued the currency by 50% and announced the elimination of transport and energy subsidies from January, among other measures. This week, the Government also annulled the contracts of at least 5,000 state employees, after the signing of a decree with hundreds of reforms that, according to the Executive's reading, did not need to go through Congress.
In the list of reforms proposed by the legislative project, called with pomp "Law of bases and starting points for the freedom of Argentines", is the power of the Executive to privatize fifty public companies, the end of the primary elections of the parties and a restructuring of the Chamber of Deputies that facilitates the addition of parliamentarians to second and third electoral forces, as is currently the governing party, La Libertad Avanza. The law, if approved, intervenes on all kinds of issues. Free public universities, for example, will be able to charge foreign students for their training; a laundering of large fortunes that have been evading taxes for years is also promoted.
Milei's proposal declares the country in a situation of "public emergency" until December 31, 2025. This long period, in addition, may be extended for another two years, which would cover the entire mandate of the president. It is that situation of alleged public emergency that empowers the Government to assume powers that correspond to the legislative power. The Argentine Constitution prevents such transfer of powers "except in certain matters of administration or public emergency, with a deadline set for its exercise and within the bases of the delegation that the Congress establishes."
Union protests
The General Confederation of Workers (CGT) and the Central of Workers of Argentina (CTA), the main union centers of the country, will meet this Thursday to evaluate the next steps against the reforms of the far-right. On the table is the possibility of going on strike. But the unions are "measuring the thermometer," according to sources of organizations tolding this newspaper, and defining their strategies with prudence.
Trade unionists consider that they have three ways to face the Government's measures: justice, Congress and the streets. In recent weeks, they met with deputies and senators; they presented a precautionary measure against the megadecree that was rejected by justice and on Wednesday, they took to the streets before the Government sent the bill with almost 700 articles to Congress.
The rally, which brought together more than 20,000 people, according to the organizers, went without incident until noon. The CGT had asked for permission to demonstrate, according to the Government, which welcomed the fact that the plant asked for authorization. The protest was contained in the limits of Lavalle Square, in the center of Buenos Aires, by a strong operation deployed by Minister Bullrich. It was inevitable, however, that the attendees would step on the pavement because of the size of the call. During the deconcentration of the protest, there was tension between a small group of demonstrators with the police, who arrested at least six people; in addition, an officer was injured by a bus.
"I put the date! I set the date!" it was heard during the rally. The demand was addressed to the workers' centrals, to whom the demonstrators demanded that they call for a general strike. Rodolfo Aguiar, national secretary of the Association of State Workers, which is part of the CTA, believes that it is "a positive fact" to have seen "the square overflowing" on Wednesday. "The level of conflict is growing and the conditions for a general strike are set up," the trade unionist told EL PAÍS. Aguiar, however, asked the workers to "be patient" about the call for a general strike.
"The workers expect their representatives to be able to join forces and we hope that the central leaders will rise to the occasion," urged Aguiar, who pointed out that "time runs in Milei's favor" because the decree of urgency imposed by the far-right enters into force on Friday. The reform package can be stopped in Congress or in the courts, but as long as that does not happen, the measures will be law. In addition, the omnibus law will begin to be dealt with by Congress in extraordinary sessions.
For leftist parties and movements, however, the call for a general strike is pressing. On Wednesday they supported the demonstration, but from another place in the square, in an independent column. "We came to demand the national strike and the struggle plan, which is what corresponds to the seriousness of the situation," Eduardo Belliboni, leader of the Polo Obrero, said during the rally. For Guillermo Kane, legislator and leader of the Workers' Party, the march was nothing more than "symbolic." "We need a substantive action," the politician demanded. "The CGT, which has not made a strike in four years, has not been playing a role of active defense of workers," the legislator said.
In the next few hours, the steps that the unions will take will begin to be known. Its leaders announced that they will try to move forward "with the highest possible levels of unity." Different organizations, movements and political parties have already warned that they will continue to mobilize in the face of measures that they consider a "strowing" of their rights. Not only on the streets. In recent weeks, different sectors - organized and self-convened neighbors - have held assemblies throughout the country, cacerolazos and popular pots to offer food to the people who need it. The government of the far-right faces a long season of mobilizations and popular resistance, but it is also confident of the support given to it by the polls.
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