BBC:
Riot police in Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse protesters outside Congress, before lawmakers gave an initial approval to budget-slashing reforms in the country’s Senate on Wednesday.
Demonstrators – who say the measures will hurt millions of Argentines – threw petrol bombs and stones, setting one car alight.
A number of people were reported injured, with local media describing the scene on Wednesday as a “battlefield”.
The reform package, proposed by right-wing President Javier Milei to revive the country’s flagging economy, includes declaring a state of economic emergency, cutting pensions and watering down labour rights.
The measures are opposed by leftist political parties, labour unions and social organisations.
But the motion, which was initially tied 36-36 in the Senate, was preliminarily passed on Wednesday after the head of the chamber, Vice President Victoria Villarruel, broke the tie.
“For those Argentines who suffer, who wait, who do not want to see their children leave the country… my vote is affirmative,” vice president and Senate leader Ms Villaruel said after breaking the tie.
The 328-article bill will now be surveyed point by point before it’s expected full approval on Thursday.
It will then return to the lower house for the final go ahead.
