Bullrich Races to Rebuild Alliances for 2026 Budget Senate Vote

Building on the Senate committee's recent dictamen approval excluding a controversial Deputies-rejected chapter, Patricia Bullrich is urgently mending ties with PRO, UCR, and governors upset over exclusive deals, ahead of the December 26 session on the 2026 Budget and Fiscal Innocence Law.

Argentina's government navigates heightened tensions as the Senate prepares for its December 26 session on the 2026 Budget and Fiscal Innocence Law. Following last week's Deputies setback—where La Libertad Avanza (LLA) failed to advance key derogations in the Disability Emergency and University Financing Laws via Article 75—and the Senate Budget Committee's approval of a modified dictamen omitting that chapter, official bloc leader Patricia Bullrich has engaged opposition figures like Eduardo Vischi (UCR) and Lara Goerling (PRO) to address discontent.

PRO allies are frustrated by coparticipation deals for Buenos Aires City and a Kirchnerism agreement for National Audit Office (AGN) auditors, sidelining figures like Jorge Triaca. Provincial governors such as Osvaldo Jaldo (Tucumán) and Raúl Jalil (Catamarca) feel exposed by unconsulted votes on the derogations. Salta's Gustavo Sáenz warned on Radio Mitre: “With zero deficit, you don't eat, you don't heal,” urging balanced alternatives for disability and universities.

Unión por la Patria senators like Jorge Capitanich and Mariano Recalde push to scrap Article 30, repealing parts of the Technical Professional Education Law and Science and Technology system. PRO deputy Martín Ardohain criticized bundling pension and disability changes into an unsuitable article and alliances with Kirchnerism.

President Javier Milei stated, “We have a Budget, we will adjust allocations for zero deficit,” amid doubts on cuts; he plans a cabinet unity meeting in Olivos tonight. With officialism in the minority and no margin to reinstate rejected chapters, Labor Reform is delayed to February, and allies are crucial to avert defeat.

What people are saying

Discussions on X highlight Patricia Bullrich's frantic efforts to rebuild alliances with PRO, UCR, and governors ahead of the December 26 Senate vote on the 2026 Budget, following the exclusion of a controversial chapter rejected by Deputies. Optimistic posts predict approval with sufficient votes secured, while others report calming internal tensions between Bullrich and Villarruel. Skeptical voices emphasize repeated clashes with allies refusing to reopen the budget text, underscoring the government's lack of outright majority and reliance on negotiations.

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Argentine senators in Budget Committee approving 2026 budget dictamen, excluding rejected Chapter 11, realistic news photo style.
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Senate Advances 2026 Budget Dictamen, Excludes Rejected Chapter from Deputies

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Following the Lower House's rejection of a controversial chapter, Argentina's Senate Budget Committee approved a majority dictamen for the 2026 Budget on December 19, omitting Chapter 11 on repealing university and disability funding laws. A special session is set for December 26, while labor reform moves to February.

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.

Reported by AI

Senator Pablo Cervi formalized his affiliation to La Libertad Avanza (LLA), raising the official bloc to 20 members in the Senate, right before the debate on Javier Milei's labor reform. Patricia Bullrich, head of the libertarian bloc, announced a special session for February 11 and claimed to have the necessary votes after meetings with dialoguista allies.

Building on the December 22 cabinet meeting at Olivos where these were prioritized, Javier Milei's government secures approval of the 2026 Budget and enacts the Fiscal Innocence Law. These milestones ensure fiscal discipline amid IMF demands but face criticism over impacts on vulnerable groups like the disabled and public workers. Analysts hail macroeconomic gains while cautioning on social costs for 2026.

Reported by AI

Following earlier delays in submitting Javier Milei's government's Labor Modernization bill to Congress, the officialism in the Argentine Senate secured a committee report but postponed plenary debate to February 10, 2026, to incorporate opposition and CGT-proposed changes, coinciding with a massive anti-reform march in Plaza de Mayo.

Javier Milei's government advances a moderate labor reform project, discussed in the Mayo Council and open to changes for Senate approval before year-end. The CGT delayed its decisions until Tuesday's official presentation and prepares an alternative proposal to promote youth employment. A poll shows 61% of the population supports a labor reform, though only 43% backs the official version.

Reported by AI

President Javier Milei confirmed in an 80-minute interview on 'La Cornisa' that he will not veto the 2026 national budget following its half-sanction in the Chamber of Deputies, stating his government will adjust items via expense reallocation to achieve zero fiscal deficit. Recorded at the Casa Rosada with journalist Luis Majul on December 21, 2025, Milei praised congressional productivity, noted Senate allies' support for the bill without changes, and addressed economic progress, alleged scandals, reforms, and political figures.

 

 

 

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