Bypassing congress, Argentina's Milei decrees sweeping economic deregulation and privatization measures
Argentine President Javier Milei announced a barrage of legal and economic deregulation measures that will, if passed by congress, fundamentally alter the Argentine state’s role in society and the economy.
Among the announcements were the abolishment of laws regulating the rental market, supermarket supplies and state purchases. He also announced moves that pave the way to privatizing Argentina’s state-owned companies.
The measures will be implemented via decree - and are effective immediately, despite constitutional provisions barring decrees over fiscal or penal law.
The chief of staff then has 10 days to send it to Congress, where it will be debated in commissions before it is sent for debate by lawmakers.
Argentina's inflation crisis, which had reached 160% in November (the last full month of the center-left Alberto Fernández administration), has tipped into hyperinflation since Milei devalued the peso by a record 51% overnight shortly after taking office - with inflation now projected to reach 30% in December alone.
The announcement touched off a massive, left-wing demonstration in downtown Buenos Aires - with pot-banging cacerolazo protests later heard in middle-class, right-leaning neighborhoods in the capital and elsewhere.
Middle-class support had proven decisive for Milei's runoff election victory a month ago.
At: https://buenosairesherald.com/politics/milei-decrees-sweeping-economic-deregulation-and-privatization-measures
Buenos Aires residents respond to today's far-reaching price deregulation and privatization decree by far-right President Javier Milei with pot-banging cacerolazo protests - historically associated with right-wing, middle-class voters (a key Milei constituency).
The decree - which opposition lawmakers have slammed as unconstitutional - follows Milei's record, 54% overnight devaluation last week that has quickly tipped Argentina's inflation crisis into a hyperinflation crisis.
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If only more people globally took the time to learn from history before stepping off the curb.
Very large stakes in the game played by such madmen, all at the expense of the poor around the world.
Can't imagine how emigrants everywhere are viewing what has happened to their once beloved countries.
Hard to overlook how many of Macri's henchfiends have jumped on board for this new chapter.
It's going to take courage to even dare read the news for awhile!
Thank you for your irreplaceable information and commentaries. 
Protesters march against government austerity measures as police stand guard in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. Social organizations have called people to protest the government's new economic shock measures on Wednesday, despite President Javier Milei's warning he would crack down on any protest blocking streets. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
Debora Rey and Almudena Calatrava
The Associated Press
Staff
Contact
Updated Dec. 20, 2023 9:31 p.m. CST
Published Dec. 20, 2023 5:23 p.m. CST
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - President Javier Milei announced sweeping initiatives Wednesday to transform Argentina's struggling economy, including easing government regulation and allowing privatization of state-run industries as a way to boost exports and investment.
The right-wing libertarian announced the moves for South America's second biggest economy just hours after thousands of Argentines took to the streets of the capital to protest against austerity and deregulation actions taken last week by Milei.
Around the start of the protest, which drew thousands of marchers, police briefly scuffled with some demonstrators and two men were arrested. But the event concluded without widespread street blockages that have been frequent in past years.
. . .
The approximately 300 changes would earmark many government companies for privatization, and loosen protections for renters, employees and shoppers.
More:
https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/argentina-s-president-announces-economy-deregulation-as-thousands-protest-against-austerity-1.6696008
The demonstrations went off relatively peacefully, after a government warning against blocking streets.
