He has recently introduced a comprehensive 'omnibus bill' to Congress, declaring Argentina in a state of 'public emergency.' This bill, consisting of over 600 articles, would grant his government extensive powers in economic, fiscal, taxation, security, defense, energy, and health sectors for two years.
El Pais reported, "The bill will be fast-tracked via extraordinary sessions of Congress. If it is approved, Milei will have a greater degree of legislative power ceded to the presidency, specifically competences that correspond to both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, where his party, La Libertad Avanza (Liberty Advances), holds a minority of seats. The 664 articles address a variety of issues, ranging from the reform of the political system and the control of social protests to the resale of tickets for sporting events."
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The proposed legislation, among other things, abolishes Mandatory Open Primary Elections, restructures the Chamber of Deputies, and eliminates free advertising spaces for candidates while removing the cap on contributions.
Certain aspects of the bill, such as measures against social protests, are likely to stir controversy. The bill defines any 'intentional and temporary gathering of three or more persons' as a crime if it obstructs free transit or the provision of public services.
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The bill also addresses fundamental rights, particularly the right to self-defense. "Regarding security, the bill also introduces amendments to the Penal Code to broaden the right to legitimate self-defense and offer the security forces greater support. On this point, the text also establishes that the person who commits a crime or, in the case of death, his relatives 'do not have the right to file a complaint or sue the person preventing the crime or preventing flight'. The text also legislates on 'resistance to authority' and establishes penalties of up to six years for anyone who 'uses intimidation or force against a public official or against the person who assists them at their request'."
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In a country burdened by an oversized and inefficient public sector, Milei introduces the contentious topic of privatization. "The bill proposes that 41 public enterprises are 'subject to privatization'. The list includes the oil company YPF; the flagship airline, Aerolíneas Argentinas; the railroads and the post office; the Casa de la Moneda (the Argentine mint) and the public media, such as the news agency Télam."
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The proposed legislation seeks a comprehensive overhaul of Argentina's laws, rules, and regulations. "The bill seeks to ratify the Necessity and Urgency Decree (DNU) whose 300 reforms dismantle the existing structure of the Argentinian State by repealing laws, eliminating dozens of state regulations, enabling the privatization of public companies, opening the door to operations in dollars and making the labor market and health system more flexible. The DNU is being challenged in Congress, the courts and on the streets by those who consider it 'unconstitutional'."
Another significant article in the bill aims to protect 'children from the moment of their conception', thereby contradicting existing laws on abortion.
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