Argentine Ruling Coalition Approves 2026 Budget Bill

The ruling coalition acknowledged the modifications but avoided providing details during the initial debate, which fueled criticism from the opposition. As the day progressed, it was confirmed that the new draft bill repeals the Disability Emergency Law and the university funding law, in addition to excluding specific allocations for the Garrahan Hospital. 'There is money to reduce taxes on real estate purchases and to subsidize layoffs, but not for Garrahan or for people with disabilities,' he stated, questioning the Executive's decision to repeal laws passed by Congress by a wide majority. Despite the objections, the ruling coalition secured the majority report with 28 signatures, including La Libertad Avanza, PRO, UCR, MID, Production and Work, Elijo Catamarca, Innovation Federal, and Independence, with the political backing of Governors Raúl Jalily and Osvaldo Jaldo. In parallel, the government also obtained a report for the so-called Fiscal Innocence Law, with an identical number of signatures. With this scenario, the Executive arrives at the chamber with the necessary numbers to seek the provisional approval of the 2026 Budget, although it will face a session marked by strong speeches, accusations of social adjustment, and a debate that goes beyond the technical to fully install itself on political and ideological terrain. In the case of the country's main pediatric center, the government argues that the obligations have already been fulfilled, a statement that is strongly questioned by the opposition and sectors linked to public health. The changes generated an immediate rejection from the opposition blocs, which announced the presentation of alternative reports and projects. From Fuerza Patria, Martínez stated that the government is responsible for not having had a Budget in previous years to manage higher levels of discretion and warned that, although they celebrate that a spending law is now being discussed, 'this is not the Budget that Argentina needs'. The peronist deputy especially questioned the elimination of 6% educational funding, the suppression of funds for technical education, and the defunding of critical social areas. 'For each issue, we will have an alternative proposal,' he assured, marking a strategy of total confrontation in the chamber. To this rejection was added a third report, presented by the Unidos inter-bloc through deputy Nicolás Massot, who launched one of the harshest criticisms against the official project. The report approved by the La Libertad Avanza block incorporates substantial changes regarding the initiative originally sent by the Executive Branch and provides for the elimination of specific funding for the Garrahan Hospital, national universities, and the disability system, three highly sensitive areas of public spending. The report was obtained in a brief but heated commission meeting, during which the ruling coalition circulated the final text as soon as the meeting began. Unlike what was expected, it was not the same project that had obtained a report in November, but a modified version that introduces explicit repeals of laws passed by Congress in recent years. The head of the libertarian bloc, Gabriel Bornoroni, defended the rapid advance of the report and stated that the objective is 'to give clarity to Argentines and world investors,' while assuring that the Budget is a signal of Argentina's predictability under Javier Milei's management. However, the climate quickly tensed when the opposition demanded details on the modifications introduced compared to the previous text. The president of the Fuerza Patria bloc, Germán Martínez, demanded formal explanations about the changes and questioned that the content of the project had been altered without a prior detailed presentation. The report includes six partial dissents. Massot denounced that the Budget prioritizes tax relief for concentrated sectors while cutting funds for health, universities, and disability. Wednesday's vote is shaping up to be one of the most conflict-ridden of the legislative year. Buenos Aires, December 16, 2025 - Total News Agency - TNA - The ruling coalition secured the majority report for the 2026 Budget in the Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday and left the bill ready to be debated in the chamber on Wednesday, in a session that promises high political and social tension.