Congress Faces Decisive Vote on Milei Deregulation Decree
🔴 Milei pushes Argentina land sales to foreigners; 5% already owned by non-citizensOn 19 September, protesters marched in Esquel, Chubut province, against President Javier Milei's deregulation decree rolling back the 2011 Land Law, which caps foreign ownership at 15% per… pic.twitter.com/SLf3Ud2FyD
Origins of Decree of Necessity and Urgency 70/2023
The decree’s preamble describes Argentina as facing a severe economic and social crisis, arguing that urgent structural reforms are necessary. It identifies excessive regulation and state intervention as obstacles to economic activity and investment.
Enacted in 2011, the law established limits on foreign ownership of rural property.
Legal Battle in the Supreme Court
The case had been brought by the Center for Malvinas Islands War Veterans, known as CECIM.
Parliamentary Showdown in Congress
Under Law 26,122, Congress reviews decrees of necessity and urgency through a specific procedure. The Permanent Bicameral Committee examines each decree and submits its conclusions to both chambers. Lawmakers cannot amend individual articles through this review mechanism. Each chamber must accept or reject the decree as a whole.
Questions About Presidential Emergency Powers
- What does DNU 70/2023 change? The decree introduces extensive changes to foreign trade, agriculture, labor relations, health care, housing rentals, and commercial activity.
- What are the limits of the Rural Land Law? Enacted in 2011, the law set a general ceiling of 15% for foreign ownership of rural land and limited a single foreign owner to 1,000 hectares in the core agricultural zone.
- What did the Supreme Court decide on Oct. 9? The court temporarily suspended Article 154 of the decree, restoring rural land ownership restrictions while lower courts review the constitutional challenge.
The future of the Rural Land Law will depend on ongoing judicial proceedings and decisions by lawmakers.
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