Argentina: Javier Milei wants to govern without parliament

From the electoral system to tax collection, including the privatization of all state-owned companies in sectors as diverse as water, post, air and rail transport… no sector escapes this so-called “omnibus” bill.

The government’s objective is clear: to deregulate all aspects of the economy, and more generally the lives of Argentines, while reducing state intervention to a minimum. But the text, entitled “Fundamental law and starting points for the freedom of Argentines”, also reveals an anti-democratic temptation of the new power.

“Whoever votes for this law, votes for dictatorship”

In fact, the government proposes to declare a state of “public emergency” in many sectors (economy, taxes, finances, pensions, energy, security, tariffs), which would allow Javier Milei to govern without parliament until the end of his mandate. In line with the strengthening of security initiated by the new government, the law also threatens the right to demonstrate. If adopted, protesters who block traffic will face up to three and a half years in prison, with sentences of up to five years for “those who organize or coordinate the rally”.

“Whoever votes (this law) votes for dictatorship” warned Myriam Bregman, lawyer and left-wing candidate in the presidential elections, as Parliament prepares to examine this text in extraordinary sessions convened until January 31st.

Its publication takes place in a context of social protest, a week after the promulgation, on December 20, of a much criticized “mega decree”. Also extensive (more than 300 provisions), it establishes, among other things, the end of rent and price control in supermarkets, the modification of the compensation system in the event of dismissal and the limitation of the right to strike.

“Down with the decree!”, “General strike”, “The homeland cannot be sold” could be read on the banners of various social organizations on 26 December in front of the court. In the compact crowd (between 20,000 and 25,000 people according to the CGT) the concern was palpable. “The deputies must stop this man from plundering and selling our country,” implored Alejandro, 30. This mathematics professor hopes that the “mega-decree” will be invalidated by Congress and the Senate, the only means provided by the Constitution to annul it.

In Argentina, Javier Milei has already tried on the street: “Milei believes he can do what he wants with Argentina, that the people will allow him”

Legal action

But the calendar currently works in the executive’s favor. Despite the mobilization, the decree was officially promulgated on December 29 without passing through parliament, currently in summer recess. According to the newspaper La Nacion, even if parliamentarians from both chambers unite to repeal the text, this is not expected to happen before March 2024, when ordinary sessions will resume.

The legal route remains. There are over twenty appeals to suspend the “mega decree” to be examined in court. According to the Argentine Constitution, this exceptional legislative instrument must be justified by the executive as “necessary and urgent”. However, for the constitutionalist Andrés Gil Dominguez, who published a long analysis of the text on platform impose a political power project”.

As regards the “Omnibus Law”, the lawyer believes that it is a “disguised attempt at constitutional reform”. In parliament, where Javier Milei’s “Freedom Avance” party does not have a majority, tension increases. No date has been set for the vote, but the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Martin Menem, told the Infobae website: “Everyone must understand that not only does Argentina have no money, but it has no time.” [à perdre] neither.” The executive, which is counting on the approval of the law by the end of January, will also have to face the streets: the CGT has already called a national strike for January 24.

Argentina: Milei government starts with inflation at almost 161%
2023-12-29 21:08:00
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