University of Buenos Aires Holds Public Protests Over Funding Law Dispute

The University of Buenos Aires (UBA) launched a series of protests in Plaza de Mayo and in front of the Ministry of Economy to demand the full implementation of the University Financing Law. The demonstrations include public masterclasses taught by the thirteen deans of UBA faculties, free health services, and displays of scientific projects. The conflict centers on the law's requirements to update teacher salaries and student scholarships based on inflation measured by INDEC since December 2023.

Legal proceedings have reached the Supreme Court, which rejected the government's attempts to disqualify judges who are also public university professors. The court ultimately upheld a preliminary injunction requiring the government to update salaries and scholarships. While the center left framing describes the government's failure to apply this ruling via decree as judicial disobedience, the center right framing presents the government's position as a necessary effort to maintain fiscal balance.

Presidential spokesperson Adrián Ravier defended the administration's actions, stating that the government aims to comply with judicial rulings without resorting to monetary emission or new debt. Ravier noted that the government inherited a broken state and has reduced public spending from 45 percent to 30 percent of GDP. He confirmed a 24 percent increase for university professors and stated that the proper venue for discussing funding levels is the 2027 Budget project to be presented to the Chamber of Deputies.

University unions and representatives argue that the official offers remain far below inflation. For example, reports from the University of Mar del Plata indicate a significant gap between government offers and union demands, contributing to the resignation of 613 professors between 2023 and 2025. The protests are scheduled to continue throughout the week, including a mobilization on Wednesday to mark the anniversary of La Noche de los Lápices.