Argentina faced a drastic political upheaval on March 12, 2025, with a physical altercation in parliament over a cryptocurrency scandal and widespread protests against President Javier Milei’s austerity measures. The National Security Ministry reported injuries and arrests during the protests advocating for improved pensions amidst drastic budget cuts.
On March 12, 2025, Argentina experienced significant political turmoil, marked by a physical altercation among politicians and widespread protests against President Javier Milei’s austerity policies. In the parliament, a confrontation between representatives Oscar Zago and Lisandro Almirón escalated to physical violence, resulting in the suspension of the legislative session intended to discuss the cryptocurrency $LIBRA investigation involving President Milei.
The situation within the chamber became increasingly tense as the political alliance, Kirchnerism, battled to move forward with impeachment proceedings against Milei, which ultimately did not gain sufficient support. During the session, discussions surrounding the emergency declaration for Bahía Blanca provoked a request from Germán Martínez of the Peronist faction for a vote on the Impeachment Commission’s authorities, which contributed to the increasing discord among members.
As the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Martín Menem, attempted to postpone discussions, tensions flared, leading to an outburst from Almirón against Zago, resulting in punches being thrown. This chaos prompted the parliament to adjourn, showcasing the significant discord within the governing body amidst ongoing scandals.
Simultaneously, demonstrations surged outside the parliament, where hundreds of retirees, alongside football fans, protested against the austerity measures imposed by President Milei. The National Security Ministry reported injuries and arrests as riot police employed water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd near the Congress building.
Demonstrators voiced their demands for enhanced pensions as they face severe hardship under Milei’s budget cuts. Reports indicate that approximately 60 percent of retirees are surviving on a minimum pension of $340 per month, exacerbating the public’s frustrations with current government policies.
In summary, the violent encounters in parliament and the resultant protests reflect deepening unrest in Argentina towards the government’s austerity measures, highlighting the critical need for reevaluation of pension policies under President Javier Milei’s administration.
The events surrounding the brawl in Argentina’s parliament and the subsequent protests underscore a broader dissatisfaction with austerity measures under President Javier Milei. Political altercations within the legislature reveal significant divisions among lawmakers, while protests highlight the struggles faced by retirees. The issues surrounding pension policies and investigations into political scandals present a challenging landscape for the Milei administration.
Original Source: www.wionews.com