Argentine Senate Debates Private Property Law After Government Withdraws Land Chapter

The Argentine Senate is debating the Law of Inviolability of Private Property on Thursday after the government of Javier Milei removed the most controversial chapter regarding the sale of rural lands to foreigners. The removal of the land chapter followed resistance from several allied governors and senators who feared the political cost of supporting the measure. Despite this concession, the remaining project includes provisions to accelerate eviction processes for intruders and tenants who fail to pay rent or whose contracts have expired. It also proposes changes to the Law of Fire Management and modifies the regime for state expropiations by increasing indemnification values and requiring more detailed justifications for public utility declarations.

Protests organized by trade unions, social movements, and left wing parties took place at the Plaza del Congreso despite rainy weather. Demonstrators and opposition legislators argue that the remaining articles still threaten territorial rights and facilitate business interests. Meanwhile, some government allies defended the removal of the land chapter as a necessary step to advance the rest of the initiative. A conflict of interest allegation was also raised against Senator Joaquin Benegas Lynch, who admitted to owning a company that advises foreign investors on land purchases while defending the proposed reforms.

Center right sources frame the event as a strategic legislative adjustment to ensure the passage of a law that protects private property and streamlines judicial processes. Center left sources frame the event as a significant political defeat for the Milei administration, highlighting the government's weakness in negotiations with governors and the potential negative impact of express evictions on indebted tenants.