The Budget and Finance Committee in the Chamber of Deputies ratified Alberto 'Bertie' Benegas Lynch as president, as La Libertad Avanza speeds up the 2026 Budget process. The ruling party aims to issue the report on Tuesday and bring it to the floor on Wednesday, despite opposition demands for financial compensations. Negotiations persist amid tensions between allied blocs and the opposition.
The Budget and Finance Committee of the Chamber of Deputies confirmed Alberto 'Bertie' Benegas Lynch as its president on Monday, proposed by Salta's Carlos Zapata. This ratification signals the start of a crucial week for La Libertad Avanza's ruling party, which is pushing for an expedited handling of the 2026 Budget. The plan is to obtain the majority report at noon on Tuesday and debate it in the plenary on Wednesday, according to government sources.
However, negotiations with dialoguist blocs keep matters in suspense. The opposition demands financial compensations for their districts in exchange for the 28 signatures needed to surpass Unión por la Patria's minority report. The PRO claims the return of coparticipation funds for the City of Buenos Aires and a more equitable distribution of the Liquid Fuels Tax, arguing for funds to handle local infrastructure amid reduced national public works. Meanwhile, Mendoza's radicalism and other provincial sectors seek guarantees for international borrowing.
Interior Minister Diego Santilli stationed himself at Congress to strengthen ties with governors and allied blocs. Tensions arose during the meeting: Germán Martínez of Unión por la Patria wished Benegas Lynch luck but criticized that José Luis Espert had set 'the bar very low.' Additionally, Maximiliano Ferraro of Unidos accused the government of 'arbitrariness' for excluding their interbloc, countered by Silvana Giudici of LLA, who cited Juan Schiaretti's health issues.
The committee will meet again on Tuesday, alongside a joint session with the Penal Legislation Committee to advance the Fiscal Innocence Law and the National Commitment Law for Fiscal Stability, which is causing friction even among allies. The government remains optimistic, believing no bloc wants the political cost of leaving the administration without a budget for the third consecutive year.
