Argentina's Chamber of Deputies began public hearings on the Glaciers Law reform on Wednesday with over 105,000 registrants but only 360 speakers allowed, sparking opposition challenges and protests outside Congress.
The public hearing in Argentina's Chamber of Deputies on the Glaciers Law reform, pushed by Javier Milei's government and already half-approved by the Senate in February, began on March 25 amid high tension. Out of over 105,000 registrants, only about 360 could speak, with intervention time cut from five to four minutes, as defended by Constitutional Affairs Commission President Nicolás Mayoraz, who said the procedure was lawful. Opposition lawmakers Maximiliano Ferraro, Sabrina Selva, and Pablo Juliano filed a formal challenge, claiming violations of the National Constitution, the General Environment Law, and the Escazú Agreement due to opaque speaker selection and mid-process changes. Ferraro warned: “More than 100,000 people registered to speak, but it was reduced to 0.3%,” leaving room for court action. Inside the chamber, tensions flared, including a clash between libertarian deputy Sebastián Pareja and unionist Mario “Paco” Manrique, with Selva handing the impugnation document to Mayoraz. Outside, socio-environmental groups protested under the slogan “line up until they let us speak.” Critics like lawyer Enrique Viale called it a “farce of a public hearing,” linking it to mining interests: “They are handing over the water forever to big miners.” Former deputy Marta Maffei, author of the 2010 original law, labeled it “a farce pretending to be a public hearing.” Nobel Peace Prize winner Adolfo Pérez Esquivel stressed “development does not mean exploitation,” while Daniel Filmus backed the current framework for its scientific basis and warned of litigation. Provincial representatives highlighted divides, with La Pampa raising concerns over water basins and San Juan defending mining. The second day will be virtual, with debate set for April.
