The government of Javier Milei suffered a new setback in the Senate. Patricia Bullrich, head of the ruling bloc, had to request a recess this Thursday until August 6 to address the law on «inviolability of private property,» which includes key changes to the land law to allow its sale to foreigners. Without the necessary votes, the session collapsed amid a tense atmosphere fueled by celebrations of the Argentine national team’s victory over England and the sovereignty claim over the Malvinas Islands.
The session began with a tight quorum of 37 senators, but it soon became clear that the numbers were insufficient to pass the flagship project of the day. La Libertad Avanza added its 21 seats, plus 10 from the Radicals, 2 from the PRO, and contributions from the governors of Salta, Neuquén, and Misiones. However, when it came time to vote, several allies backed out. The absence of Corrientes’ «Camau» Espínola, one of the staunchest supporters of the ruling party, complicated the outlook.
While Bullrich was counting votes, on the streets the Argentine people celebrated the victory over England with the Malvinas flag held high. The national team players defied orders from Security Minister Alejandra Monteoliva, who had banned the issue deeming it «political content» in the United States and FIFA. The chant «Las Malvinas son argentinas» echoed across the country, leaving the Milei government – known for its admiration of Margaret Thatcher – at odds with popular fervor.
Myriam Bregman was the first to confront Bullrich after the victory: «After this people celebrating in the streets, tomorrow they cannot pass the Land Law in the Senate. That’s how it is.» The left has already announced a mobilization for August 6, when the debate resumes.
The land law is the hottest point of the project. Currently, the regulation stipulates that no more than 15% of the territory can be in foreign hands, and that a single person or company cannot concentrate more than 1,000 hectares. The government wants to eliminate these limits and leave the authorization of sales to the provinces. Minister Federico Sturzenegger, author of the project, opposes the provinces having the final say, and this has created differences with senators from allied governors.
In the latest version of the text, the «administrative silence» – a trick that allowed a sale to be considered approved if the state did not respond – was discarded, but the possibility remained for companies with foreign state participation to buy land with provincial and national authorization. Direct purchase by foreign states would be prohibited.
The government’s rush to pass the law was not only ideological. This was the last session in which they could comply with Judge Víctor Pesino, who at 75 years old needed a five-year extension in his position to remain in the National Chamber of Labor Appeals. Pesino was the judge who enabled the labor reform that attacks workers’ rights. Ultimately, the Senate granted the extension, with Peronist votes in 94% of cases, but rejected the nominations of Pesino and Javier Jorge Cosentino.
The land law has been under negotiation since May. This is the fourth time the ruling party has attempted to pass it and failed. In the meantime, there have been 15 versions of the text. The discord centers on provincial vs. national control. Meanwhile, the Argentine people continue to sing for Malvinas, and the left prepares for a new battle in the streets.
jajaja bullrich fracaso otra vez para mi esta ley de tierras es un choreo al pueblo mientras festejamos malvinas estos vendepatria se rien de nosotros menos mal que la izquierda esta firme yo creo que el 6 de agosto hay que movilizarse fuerte viva la soberania carajo
Para mí Bullrich es un desastre, no puede sacar ni una ley de mierda. Los zurdos festejando Malvinas mientras venden el país a los chinos. Esto huele a traición, se van a arrepentir cuando nos compren todo. Viva la patria carajo.