Milei will send measures to Congress: “if they reject it I would call a plebiscite”

The Argentine president, Javier Mileiwill send a package of measures to Congress on Wednesday to be discussed in extraordinary sessions, indicated the presidential spokesperson, while thousands of people from different Trade union associations were protesting in the streets against a series of advertisements.

“The text includes profound, necessary and urgent reforms in tax, labor, criminal, energy and electoral matters,” Manuel Adorni said at a press conference, adding that it is a complement to a mega decree of necessity and urgency (DNU) announced by Milei last week.

“This is in the hands of the Legislative Branch. Senators and deputies of the Nation must choose whether we go towards freedom, to end this decadence,” He added in reference to a deep economic crisis, with triple-digit inflation, negative net reserves and poverty above 40%.

Reuters did not receive a response to the query to the presidential spokesperson about the details of the measures that will be discussed by Congress in extraordinary sessions until January 31.

These measures are added to the DNU announced by Milei last week, which includes more than 300 measures with the aim of deregulating the economy, by eliminating price controls, liberalizing foreign trade and promoting industrial activity.

Some 20,000 people summoned by the General Confederation of Labor (CGT), the Construction Workers Union (UOCRA) and the Association of State Workers (ATE), among others, marched with flags to the headquarters of the Buenos Aires Courts to ask for the “unconstitutionality of the decree”.

One day after the announcement of the decree, thousands of Argentines also took to the streets to protest with pots and pans against the measures that seek to reform the economy and include the repeal of labor standards, the privatization of state companies and the modification of the Civil and Commercial Code.

The libertarian president maintains that his objective is to reduce the State and eliminate the fiscal deficit so that the economy grows again.

The presidential rule could encounter obstacles to be approved in Congress since the official party ‘Freedom Advances’ It does not have a majority in the Chambers of Deputies and Senators and could be rejected by the Court, which would prevent its application.

Milei, A newcomer to politics who assumed the presidency on December 10 after winning a runoff by a wide margin, said on Tuesday on a local television program that he would call for a plebiscite – non-binding – if the mega decree were rejected in Congress. .

“Obviously, if they reject it (the decree), I would call for a plebiscite and have them explain to me why Congress is against something that is good for the people.”, Milei stated.