Buenos Aires shaken by clashes over Milei reforms.
Argentina Reforms: Police and Protesters Clash in Buenos Aires.
Argentina's Senate narrowly passed President Javier Milei's contentious economic reform program, with the voting taking place amid violent skirmishes between protestors and riot police outside Congress.
Demonstrators in Buenos Aires, who claim the measures will harm millions of Argentines, tossed petrol bombs and stones, setting cars on fire.
A number of people were reported hurt, and local media described the scene on Wednesday as a "battlefield".
The policies, aimed at rescuing the country's struggling economy, include declaring an economic emergency, reducing pensions, and weakening labor rights.
Mr Milei, a right-wing economist, was elected in the midst of a severe economic crisis, which he is still struggling to address after six months in office.
Annual inflation is currently approaching 300%, and more than half of Argentines are living in poverty.
Mr Milei's "shock" measures are opposed by left-wing political parties, labor unions, and social organizations.
The measure, which was initially tied 36-36 in the Senate, was preliminarily carried on Wednesday after the chamber's leader, Vice President Victoria Villarruel, broke the deadlock.
"For those Argentines who suffer, wait, and do not want to see their children leave the country... my vote is affirmative," Ms Villaruel said after breaking the deadlock.
The 328-article law will now be reviewed point by point before being fully approved on Thursday.
It will then return to the lower house for final approval.
Police deployed tear gas and water cannons on protesters, who then threw petrol bombs and stones.
Ahead of the bill's approval, violence erupted when demonstrators attempted to make their way to Congress.
Two vehicles were apparently set ablaze, including that of a news organization.
Protesters chanted: "The country is not for sale, the country is defended," and one banner read: "How can a head of state hate the state?"
Before the bill was passed by the Senate. When protesters attempted to make their way to Congress via fences, officers pepper-sprayed them.
Observers and opposition MPs reported that dozens of demonstrators and a few MPs received medical assistance. At least five opposition MPs were hospitalised, according to legislator Cecilia Moreau.
At least 20 police officers were hurt, according to officials. Security personnel reported they had apprehended 15 persons.
"We can't believe we're discussing a law in Argentina that will set us back 100 years," Fabio Nunez, a 55-year-old protesting lawyer, told AFP.
President Milei's office issued a statement congratulating security personnel for apprehending "terrorists" intending to carry out a coup d'état.
"We are going to change Argentina, we are going to make it the most liberal country in the world," Mr Milei stated at a conference in Buenos Aires.
Dozens of demonstrators and a few MPs apparently received medical assistance.
The very divided bill was approved by the lower house in April, following considerable modifications.
Mr Milei took government in 2023, promising to slash state spending.
While on the campaign trail, he even held a chainsaw during a speech to demonstrate his commitment to do so.
He has since reduced the cabinet by half, cut 50,000 public positions, canceled new public works contracts, and eliminated gasoline and transportation subsidies.
