The Senate of the Nation experienced a high-voltage political day this Thursday, when the ruling party of La Libertad Avanza (LLA) was forced to request a recess in the session that was to debate the controversial bill on Inviolability of Private Property. The measure, which facilitated the purchase of land by foreigners and express evictions, was postponed until August 6, amid a fierce internal dispute and a lack of its own votes.
The leader of the libertarian caucus, Patricia Bullrich, was in charge of requesting the recess, which was approved by 62 votes in favor, three against, and one abstention. The decision, according to bloc sources, was due to the lack of necessary support to approve the text, which had been modified up to version 15. «Three votes were missing, which in the Senate is an abyss,» confessed a voice from the ruling party.
Problems for LLA began when allies from the Radical Civic Union expressed dissatisfaction with the project. The main objections were two: the requirement of double consent between the nation and province for the sale of land to foreigners, eliminating administrative silence, and the power of provinces to set limits on those transactions. «This makes no sense,» commented an LLA source, noting that it clashes with provincial legislation and the Constitution.
However, the Casa Rosada refused to incorporate the changes. The refusal was attributed to the author of the project, the Minister of Deregulation and Modernization of the State, Federico Sturzenegger. According to those close to Bullrich, on Wednesday Sturzenegger told her he did not accept the modifications. «The president would have had to veto an article that had been voted on by the Senate,» they argued. Despite everything, Bullrich decided to move forward with the session to show she had a quorum, but the pressure was too much.
The tension even spilled over into the relationship between Bullrich and Vice President Victoria Villarruel, who had a strong exchange via WhatsApp. Both sides confirmed they have not spoken again. Among the key absentees were Carlos «Camau» Espínola, Edith Terenzi, and Andrea Cristina, who added uncertainty to the vote.
In parallel, the Senate approved other issues promoted by LLA, such as 29 dossiers of appointments of judges, appellate judges, and defenders, and six from the Foreign Ministry. The diplomatic appointments were approved unanimously, while most judicial dossiers were voted with 65 in favor and two against from the Santa Cruz senators José María Carambia and Natalia Gadano. The most controversial case was the ratification of Judge Víctor Pesino, authorized to continue in the National Chamber of Appeals for Labor despite being about to turn 75. Peronism rejected his appointment, arguing that «he acts according to his needs.» Bullrich defended him: «Judges cannot be removed because of their rulings.»
Finally, the project declaring Tucumán as the symbolic capital of the Nation every July 9 was given half-sanction unanimously. «It is an act of unity for all Argentines,» expressed Senator Sandra Mariela Mendoza.
Para mí esto es un papelón de los tibios de LLA, no saben ni juntar votos para lo básico. La propiedad privada es sagrada, y estos vendepatria la dejan para agosto. Bullrich, dejala, no das más. Los kukas deben estar festejando, pero se van a acordar de nosotros.
para mi estos fachos de LLA posponen la ley de venta de tierras como si fuera joda la propiedad privada es un verso para seguir robando el pais Bullrich reconoce la derrota? mentira seguro se estan cagando xq no juntan votos menos mal q los frenamos pero hay q estar atentos xq van a volver con cambios truchos patria si colonia no firma el pibe de la resistencia