Thousands of people are protesting in the streets of Buenos Aires against new right-wing president Javier Milei and his shock therapy for the country’s economy.
Wednesday’s march has been called by unions demanding court intervention to stop the drastic cuts and deregulation decree put forward by Milei.
Among the proposals are the abolition of rent ceilings and other price regulations, as well as restrictions on the right to strike.
The demonstrators waved Argentine flags and placards with messages such as: “The Fatherland is not for sale”.
– We do not question President Milei’s legitimacy, but we want him to respect the division of power. Workers must defend their rights when the constitution is not followed, construction union leader Gerardo Martinez told journalists during the march.
At the President’s request, Parliament is holding an extraordinary session to discuss the package. Unless parliament rejects it in its entirety, it will come into effect as early as Friday.
Milei’s far-right party La libertad avanza has 40 of the 257 seats in Congress and 7 of 72 senators.