Argentina Amends 2025 Budget to Support Key Sectors

The Argentine government has issued a decree of necessity and urgency (DNU 849/2025) that significantly amends the 2025 budget. This measure, signed by Chief of Staff Manuel Adorni, marks the first budgetary expansion under his leadership. The official decision, published on Monday in the Official Bulletin, is justified by the 'current economic emergency.' The primary goal is to ensure a 'reasonable distribution' of public resources to fulfill state obligations. The budget expansion covers key sectors, including health, social security, security, education, and labor programs. The Ministry of Health will receive additional funds to finance essential programs amid high demand and prior budget constraints. The National Disability Agency (ANDIS) and the National Social Security Administration (ANSES) will also be funded to cover non-contributory pensions, unemployment benefits, and other social allowances. In education, funds will be allocated to university salaries, infrastructure, scholarships, school cafeterias, and the extended school day. In the security and labor spheres, programs like 'Return to Work' and unemployment benefits will be financed. Furthermore, the decree provides for adjustments to public debt-related items to cover financial services and treasury obligations, including funding for state-owned companies and agencies. This move is a central part of the executive branch's fiscal strategy to sustain essential programs amid a recession and sectoral tensions, while Congress continues to debate the 2026 budget. The government justified the adjustment by allocating additional credits to priority areas. The restructuring includes a significant increase in personnel-related spending to address salary, operational, equipment, and subsidy-related transfer needs. Among the most benefited sectors are the security forces, which will receive funds for salary increases and to strengthen pension funds for the Federal Police, military personnel, and naval police officers. In healthcare, the decree provides increases to sustain operations at major high-complexity national hospitals, such as Garrahan, El Cruce, René Favaloro, and others. This budgetary adjustment aims to prevent disruptions in sensitive areas and maintain socio-economic stability in the country.