Argentina

September 20, 2020

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1. President assures that government is working to begin vaccinations between January and February

On Wednesday, President Alberto Fernández stated that his government was working with Russia to begin vaccinating Argentina against COVID-19 beginning in January and February, adding that the country could also have the AstraZeneca Oxford vaccine by March. Moreover, the Argentine government is negotiating with “everybody, including Russia, China, Pfizer and Moderna” for vaccines and that all vaccines approved by local authorities have a high efficacy rate and that no vaccine is demonstrably better than another.

La Nación: Alberto Fernández salió a aclarar que la vacuna estará disponible desde enero

2. President sends bill to congress legalizing abortion, and “1,000 Day”

President Alberto Fernández sent a bill to congress that decriminalizes abortion and guarantees that the healthcare system allows for it to take place. Additionally, he submitted another bill that would establish the “1,000 Day Program,” in a bid to strengthen comprehensive women’s healthcare during pregnancy and support early childhood.

Infobae: Alberto Fernández: “Creo que estamos en condiciones de que esta vez el aborto se convierta en ley”

3. The President explained that is not expected to increase utility prices this year

The Argentine government froze utility prices as a result of the pandemic, including electricity, gas, water and others through the end of the year. At that time, Energy Secretary Darío Martínez had already anticipated that there would be a correction in 2021, with President Fernández now confirming that prices may be unfrozen in March. “It is not expected that utility prices will increase this year. We will discuss how we will adjust them in March,” the president stated in an interview with C5N regarding what would happen with public service costs. He added, “we will look for ways to make these adjustments payable [for the general public].”

El Cronista: Alberto Fernández: “A partir de marzo vamos a discutir cómo se corrigen las tarifas”

4. 5% increase for pensioners

Cabinet Chief Santiago Cafiero and the head of the Argentine Social Security Agency (ANSES), Fernanda Raverta, announced that there would be a 5% increase in pensions beginning in December for all pensioners and retirees. With this increase, minimum pensions will have increased 35.3% so far this year, and the minimum amount received will total ARS $19,035 (USD $236.85). “With this increase, 75% of beneficiaries will stay one step ahead of inflation,” Cafiero stated.

Perfil: El Gobierno anunció un aumento del 5% a los jubilados

5. Chamber of Deputies approves bill that would implement tax on large fortunes

On Wednesday morning, the Chamber of Deputies approved a bill that would tax fortunes exceeding ARS $200 million (USD $2.49 million). This gives the project partial approval and will now pass to the Senate, where the government’s party has a majority. The government hopes to collect approximately ARS $300 billion (USD $3.73 billion) to be used for social and health programs related to the coronavirus pandemic. In the event that the bill becomes law, approximately 10,000 people would pay the tax, according to data from the Argentine tax agency (AFIP).

On Wednesday morning, the Chamber of Deputies approved a bill that would tax fortunes exceeding ARS $200 million (USD $2.49 million). This gives the project partial approval and will now pass to the Senate, where the government’s party has a majority. The government hopes to collect approximately ARS $300 billion (USD $3.73 billion) to be used for social and health programs related to the coronavirus pandemic. In the event that the bill becomes law, approximately 10,000 people would pay the tax, according to data from the Argentine tax agency (AFIP).