Senator from La Libertad Avanza, Agustín Monteverde, stated that Congress will debate the 2026 budget in December, but cast doubt on the Labor Reform, suggesting it might be discussed and voted on in February. He emphasized that the entire country is calling for a labor modernization because the job market is anemic. Monteverde also expressed concern over the 'silent war' between the government led by Javier Milei and the Argentine Football Association (AFA), stating that the Ministry of Security will launch an investigation. 'As a part of the country that has descended to a lower level, I don't see it as viable to carry out a labor reform so quickly,' Monteverde admitted. At the same time, he clarified: 'If the Executive branch requests it, we are willing to do it. We are going to fight the necessary battles to return Argentina to the path of prosperity. The labor reform is an indispensable step. It is simply a part of the country's enormous puzzle.' In another part of his remarks, he stated that the libertarian administration will continue to work to make commerce 'effective' and criticized inefficient companies. 'There is not a single corner where economic and moral decline has not reached. Football could not be left out either,' he insisted. Monteverde also affirmed that competition facilitates 'better products at the lowest price for consumers,' and clarified that the government cannot solve the inefficiency of a firm. 'What we have to do is make it easier for manufacturers to do it more economically, with quality inputs so that they can be competitive. The government's mission is to simplify the macroeconomy. The idea is to have the budget approved by December 30,' he said in an interview with Radio Rivadavia. According to Argentine News Agency, the Executive branch intends to include the debate on the 'modernization' of the labor system in December's agenda, but the necessary consensuses for its approval are not yet in place. This is why the legislator pointed out that 'December will not be enough.' 'Due to the magnitude of the issue, December will not be enough. With certainty, at least a part will be left for February. What we have to do is continue working to make production effective, to achieve making good products at a lower price with lower costs,' the senator asserted. 'We are not going to postpone it for 47 million because of some manufacturers. The two industries that are most kicking up a fuss about the commercial issue are the apparel and home appliance industries, which have enjoyed exorbitant levels of protection with odious subsidies,' he concluded.
