The Chamber of Deputies began a tense session to debate the 2026 Budget, where the officialism achieved quorum and bets on a chapter-by-chapter vote. The opposition criticizes cuts in education, health, and disability, while defending derogations of recent laws. The Government projects 10.4% inflation and 5% GDP growth.
On December 17, 2025, Argentina's Chamber of Deputies opened its session at 14:00 to discuss the 2026 National Budget, achieving quorum at 14:27 with support from La Libertad Avanza, PRO, and UCR. The officialism, led by Bertie Benegas-Lynch, proposed voting chapter by chapter to speed up the process, a motion approved despite opposition demands for article-by-article voting to expose sensitive cuts.
The bill includes Article 75, which repeals laws on university financing (Law 27.795), disability emergency (Law 27.793), and pediatric emergency, sparking strong criticism. The University of Buenos Aires denounced a 30% cut in funds for its hospitals, affecting institutions like the Hospital de Clínicas. Máximo Kirchner questioned: “Ni entregando la soberanía van a poder pagar la deuda,” warning about impacts on tariffs and public policies. Myriam Bregman denounced “vote buying” with National Treasury Contributions (ATN), calling the budget “unjust, illusory, and fictitious” according to Maximiliano Ferraro of the Civic Coalition.
From the officialism, Gabriel Mayoraz defended: “Este Gobierno logró sin Presupuesto lo que no se había logrado en años,” highlighting a 20-point reduction in child poverty. Nicolás del Caño called for “popular rebellion” against the adjustment. An unusual incident occurred when Lisandro Almirón, from La Libertad Avanza, praised works like the Chaco-Corrientes bridge, which actually came from Unión por la Patria's report, corrected by Germán Martínez.
Outside Congress, protesters clashed with police in a mega-operation. The Government agreed with CABA to include coparticipation debt payment. The session seeks half-sanction before year-end to send to the Senate.
