September 13th, 2024
1. The Chamber of Deputies vetoed the new retirement pension formula
The vote to insist on the new pension mobility formula was rejected this Wednesday in the Chamber of Deputies with 153 affirmative votes, 87 against and 8 abstentions. The opposition needed a special majority of two thirds of those present, in this case 165 out of 248 deputies. The victory of the ruling party was assured thanks to the change of position of a significant part of the radical bloc, which at the beginning of June had voted unanimously in favor of the bill drafted by the radicalism itself in collaboration with other pro-dialogue sectors. With the current formula, the monthly retirement amount would be ARS $317,000. The rejection of the reform generated great social discontent, with a demonstration in front of the National Congress which resulted in violence and repression.
2. Inflation in August was 4.2%
INDEC announced that the Consumer Price Index in August was 4.2%, accumulating 94.8% so far this year and 236.7% in the last 12 months. On the other hand, in August the total basic food basket (CBT) rose 4.4% with respect to the previous month and the basic food basket (CBT) rose 3.9%. In order not to be poor, a typical household needed AR$939,887 pesos in August (the value of the CBT) and in order not to be indigent it had to have an income of at least AR$421,474 (CBA).
INDEC: Indice de Precios al Consumidor
INDEC: Valorización mensual de la canasta básica alimentaria y de la canasta básica total.
3. The Senate rejected the DNU that assigned funds to the SIDE
During the session that concluded early Friday morning, the Senate rejected the Necessity and Urgency Decree (DNU) that allocated funds reserved for the State Intelligence Secretariat (SIDE). With 49 votes against and only 11 in favor, the rejection marks a historical precedent, being the first time that a DNU of this type is annulled. The bill for the financing of university education, which seeks to reinforce autonomy and guarantee greater economic stability for educational institutions, was also approved.
La Nación: Otro revés para Milei: la oposición rechazó el DNU que aumentó los gastos reservados de la SIDE
4. The provinces and municipalities may no longer charge fees on the price of public services
As announced by the Minister of Economy, Luis Caputo, the Government published in the Official Gazette a resolution which prohibits municipalities from including the collection of local taxes in the bills for water, gas and electricity services. An official source working under the orders of the head of the Treasury Palace said that the measure seeks that the mayors “take charge” of the taxes they collect. The resolution, which had already provoked criticism from some mayors, promises more controversy, as it is embodied in an official resolution that gets into the discussion about the resources among the different jurisdictions. In his account in the social network X, Caputo posted: “Invoices for essential services must contain only and exclusively the description and the price corresponding to the service contracted by the consumer, and it is forbidden to include charges unrelated to the nature of the service”.
5. President Milei to present the 2025 budget before the Chamber of Deputies
In the midst of a climate of permanent political tension, Javier Milei announced that he will go to Congress next Sunday night to present the Budget 2025, in a historic event since he will be the first President to comply with a procedure that is usually the duty of the Minister of Economy. However, the focus will be on how Kirchnerism will move, which will be present and has already described as “horrendous” the Government’s strategy to guarantee the zero deficit. The presentation will take place in the Chamber of Deputies, starting at 9 pm, during prime time television, and as in the opening of the ordinary sessions, the Head of State will speak from a lectern of his own. He will be the only speaker of the evening and will give the main details of the budget initiative.