In a dramatic and historic session, Argentina’s Senate approved President Javier Milei’s flagship reform package, known as the “Bases Law.”

It lays the groundwork for a sweeping overhaul of the country’s economic and social model, centered on free-market principles and a sharp reduction in the role of the state.

The vote followed more than eleven hours of heated debate. The result was razor-thin: 36 senators opposed the bill, 36 supported it, and the tie was broken by Vice President Victoria Villarruel, who presides over the Senate. Her decisive vote allowed the measure to move forward. 

Outside the Congress building in Buenos Aires, the atmosphere was anything but calm. Thousands of protesters rallied against the reforms, and demonstrations quickly turned violent. Several vehicles were set on fire, property was damaged, and police clashed with demonstrators.

At least 14 people were arrested, and dozens were injured — including five opposition lawmakers who required medical attention after being hit with pepper spray. 

For Milei, a libertarian economist who came to power promising a “shock therapy” for Argentina’s ailing economy, the law is a crucial victory. It grants the executive branch emergency powers for one year in key areas such as administration, the economy, energy, and public finances.

The road to approval was far from smooth. The bill had been under discussion for nearly six months, going through repeated rewrites and negotiations. Milei’s coalition, La Libertad Avanza, holds only a minority in Congress, forcing the government to strike deals with allies and scale back the original draft.

What’s happening in the House of Representatives

Alongside the Bases Law, senators also considered a fiscal package aimed at stabilizing Argentina’s finances. The measures include a tax amnesty, a customs moratorium, and efforts to expand the tax base — tools the government views as essential for its broader adjustment program. 

While the passage of the bill marks a major political win for Javier Milei, it also highlights the deep divisions in Argentine society. Supporters see it as a long-overdue step toward economic modernization, while critics warn it will worsen inequality and erode social protections. With protests intensifying, it is clear that the battle over Milei’s reforms will continue not only in Congress but also on the streets. 

The law passed the lower house in late April with 142 votes in favor, but further changes were needed before the Senate would agree to debate it. Now that the Senate has approved it with amendments, the bill must return to the Chamber of Deputies for a final vote. 

It also paves the way for privatizations of state-owned companies, labor and pension reforms, and incentives to attract energy and infrastructure investment.