In a tight and controversial vote, the Argentine Senate approved the Base Law, a state reform project promoted by President Javier Milei. The vote was decided with Vice President Victoria Villarruel's tie-breaking vote after thirteen hours of intense negotiations and debates in the chamber.

The Base Law, considered fundamental by Milei's administration, includes measures affecting regulatory agencies, allowing privatizations, and offering tax benefits to large investors. The bill, which now returns to the House of Representatives for final approval, was passed with a 36-36 tie, resolved by Villarruel in favor of the government.

The process was not without tensions. Outside Congress, protesters opposing the law clashed with the police, resulting in injuries, arrests, and property damage, including the burning of a Cadena 3 radio vehicle. Orlando Morales, a reporter for the radio station, reported being assaulted and the vehicle being overturned and set on fire.

The law's approval required numerous concessions from the government, which had to yield on several points to gain the necessary support. Among the main modifications, Aerolíneas Argentinas, Correo Argentino, and Radio y Televisión Argentina were excluded from the project, reducing the list of state companies subject to privatization.

Additionally, the Executive had to abandon the proposed pension reform and accept the continuation of advanced public works or those with international funding. The application of the Regime for the Incentive of Large Investments (RIGI) was also limited to certain productive sectors.

The negotiations behind the vote were intense, with heated exchanges in the Senate and protests in the streets. During the debate, opposition legislators unsuccessfully attempted to suspend the session to obtain reports on the situation of the protesters.

After the vote, the government celebrated the result. In a statement, the President's Office described the approval as "a triumph for the Argentine people" and "the first step towards the recovery of our greatness." Now, the project must be approved again in the House of Representatives, where a favorable outcome for the Executive is expected.

President Milei, who delayed his departure to the G-7 summit in Italy to closely follow the vote, plans to call for a grand national agreement to implement foundational policies. In his message, Milei urged to leave behind old recipes and political differences to embrace the ideas of freedom and give Argentinians a future.