News of congress

Government advances bill exempting 1.3 million from income tax

28-03-2021 16:08 Argentina’s lawmakers have taken a major step in exempting about 1.3 million citizens from paying income taxes.

Debt restructuring talks for Buenos Aires Province stall

22-03-2021 16:23 After nearly a year of extending the deadline of its debt restructuring proposal, fresh documents published by Argentina’s largest province show talks remain stuck.

The year of the jab

06-03-2021 09:29 The president’s speech was not all about Covid. Fernández drove home the message – with the five members of the Supreme Court looking on remotely – that he is not satisfied with the performance of the judicial branch.

by Martín Gambarotta

State of the nation

06-03-2021 09:24 Last Monday was not “100 percent Cristina” – the spirit of her perhaps but not the letter. More credit should go to Cabinet Chief Santiago Cafiero.

by Michael Soltys

Bolsonaro further relaxes gun laws in Brazil

16-02-2021 14:49 Four decrees, issued late Friday, increase the number of firearms Brazilians can own from four to six – or up to 60, for those who practice recreational sport shooting – and authorise them to carry up to two guns in public.

Brazil Congress elects Bolsonaro allies as new leaders

02-02-2021 08:56 Brazil's Congress on Monday elected two allies of President Jair Bolsonaro to head the Senate and lower house, an important victory for the far-right leader as he seeks to re-galvanise his re-election efforts for 2022.

Latin American lessons for the United States’ damaged democracy

09-01-2021 07:16 Being able to disrupt the constitutional process, whether directly or indirectly, through the use of violence is an indication that said democratic process is breaking down.

by Agustino Fontevecchia

Polarised upper house set to vote on legalising abortion

29-12-2020 08:31 A polarised Senate will decide Tuesday whether to legalise abortion in Argentina in a vote experts say could go either way.

City mayor rails against 'political attack' as tensions over funding soar

03-12-2020 11:20 Political tensions have surged back to the fore in Argentina after the Chamber of Deputies approved by a 129-118 vote a sharp cut in this city’s federal revenue-sharing funding on Tuesday following a marathon 20-hour session and intense debate.

Congress begins debate on bill to legalise abortion

01-12-2020 17:36 Lower house opened debate on the government’s abortion bill on Tuesday, with President Alberto Fernández hoping to legalise the process in Argentina by the end of the year.

Peruvian Congress chooses centrist Francisco Sagasti as new president

16-11-2020 19:25 Francisco Sagasti chosen as next leader by Congress as Peru gets to grips with deep political crisis, sparked by the impeachment of one popular president and the resignation of his controversial successor amid protests which killed two people.

Merino resigns as Peru president after five days in power

15-11-2020 17:59 Peru's interim leader Manuel Merino resigned on Sunday, just five days after taking office, sparking wild street celebrations in the capital Lima after protests against his rule.

BlackRock's Fink says Argentina won't soon regain investor trust

06-11-2020 08:15 Blackrock Inc. CEO Larry Fink said Argentina has a long way to go before it can regain investor confidence.

New York progressive Ocasio-Cortez easily wins second House term

04-11-2020 02:10 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez comfortably secured a second term in Congress on Tuesday with an expected win over her Republican challenger.

What we learned this week: September 19 to 26

26-09-2020 09:29 Our pick of the stories from the last seven days in Argentina.

Keeping abreast of a changing world

26-09-2020 09:22 More than superb ammunition for gossip columnists or an accident waiting to happen with the technological hazards of virtual sessions, this disgrace might well prove to be the match lighting a new “Begone with them all” powder-keg.

World Cup fixture pile-up overshadows FIFA Congress

17-09-2020 16:43 When the 70th FIFA Congress meets on Friday, one issue will very much be on members’ minds – how to find time in the football calendar for hundreds of qualifying matches for the 2022 World Cup.

by Anthony Harwood

Fernández's first Budget projects 5.5% growth in 2021

16-09-2020 01:17 Government's budget bill forecast for 2021: economic growth of 5.5%, primary fiscal deficit of 4.5%, inflation at 29% and 102 pesos per dollar.

A new low for the Lower House

05-09-2020 09:15 Monday was a big day for Alberto Fernández’s Peronist government, as it heralded its debt deal with foreign creditors. But the joy lasted only a day and celebrations were all but buried by news in Congress.

by Martín Gambarotta

Guzmán says Argentina must work to cut bond yields

04-09-2020 17:53 Country must reduce its bond yields before returning to international capital markets in a process that will likely take some time, says Economy Minister Martín Guzmán in interview.