The Argentine Senate gave preliminary approval to amendments to the Glaciers Law, ratified the European Union-Mercosur Agreement, and confirmed Fernando Iglesias as ambassador to Belgium and the EU. These approvals, achieved in a tense session on February 26, 2026, mark a victory for Javier Milei's government. The president celebrated the outcome with a social media post.
In the Senate session on February 26, 2026, the ruling party capitalized on divisions within Peronism to pass three key initiatives. First, the Association Agreement between Mercosur and the European Union was ratified with broad support, making Argentina the first country to promulgate it via a decree signed by President Javier Milei, according to Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno. However, Uruguay ratified it legislatively that same day unanimously, per reports.
The amendment to the Glaciers Law passed with 40 votes in favor, 31 against, and one abstention, now heading to the Chamber of Deputies. Senator Patricia Bullrich defended the bill: "Caring does not mean prohibiting." In contrast, Senator Anabel Fernández Sagasti criticized: "If we allow a glacier to be exploited, that glacier disappears." Other opposition voices, like Maximiliano Abad, warned of potential unconstitutionality.
Additionally, Fernando Iglesias's appointment as ambassador was approved with 38 positive votes, 31 negative, and one abstention, despite criticisms of his suitability from senators like José María Carambia, who called him "arrogant and conceited."
The session featured Greenpeace protests, with 12 activists detained and a cameraman injured by pepper spray, leading to a court order for release and police investigation. Milei reacted on X: "3-0, VLLC," referring to the three approvals. The government highlighted the EU-Mercosur agreement's economic impact, projecting up to 122% growth in Argentine exports over ten years.
Civil society organizations alerted the European Parliament to a potential environmental setback in the Glaciers Law, incompatible with international commitments.
