Milei to sign decree calling special Congress sessions

`President Javier Milei will sign on Friday a decree calling for special sessions in Congress, formally beginning his push for the approval of key reforms and – for the first time since 2023 – a budget for Argentina’s state.

During an initial legislative period, scheduled to run between December 10 and 31, Milei’s government wants to make major progress on the 2026 Budget bill, a “fiscal innocence” bill and a package of flagship reforms for the ruling coalition, including changes to Argentina’s labour laws, tax regulations and penal code. 

The move will be formalised by the publishing of a decree in the Official Gazette next Tuesday, according to government sources. 

Within the La Libertad Avanza administration, officials are not ruling out extending the run of special sessions into February, to allow another round of legislative debate ahead of the ordinary period beginning on March 1.

Regarding the overhaul of labour laws, the government hopes to secure at least initial approval by the end of December. Tax and criminal reforms would be left for the second run of sessions in February, should all go to plan.

Following La Libertad Avanza’s electoral victory in October, Cabinet Chief Manuel Adorni and Interior Minister Diego Santilli began talks with provincial governors to secure agreements for key government measures. 

Santilli will wrap up the individual meetings with provincial leaders who backed Milei’s “May Pact” of ground rules in his first year of office and attended an October 30 gathering at the Casa Rosada with Milei.

In line with positions voiced by some governors, the Casa Rosada will push for debate on amendments to Argentina’s Glacier Protection Law, seeking to expand areas authorised for extraction. That initiative is also expected to enter discussion immediately, as from December 10.

Another priority is the 2026 Budget, which was submitted in September but has been altered. Lawmakers will also take up the fiscal innocence proposal, which aims to amend the existing ‘forgiveness’ regime. 

The Executive hopes to raise the threshold for fiscal fraud and shorten deadlines dor the statute of limitations.

Penal Code reform has been another central objective since early October. The bill is seen as a key measure for debate in the Senate, in which Senator Patricia Bullrich – who recently stepped down as national security minister – is expected to play a leading role.

The government is optimistic about the reforms it is sending to Congress, particularly after securing 95 deputies in the lower house. With that tally, the ruling coalition became the first minority, a position previously held by opposition Unión por la Patria (Peronist) grouping.

Labour reform

The formal presentation of Milei’s labour reform bill, which is already drafted, is expected on Tuesday. Only final tweaks remain. 

The Executive is confident that the proposal will reach Congress backed by dialogue-oriented blocs and strengthened by the ruling coalition’s new status as the first minority in the lower house

The final wording is in the hands of Cabinet Chief Manuel Adorni, Lower House Speaker Martín Menem and Bullrich.

According to a draft circulated among journalists, core pillars include changes to working hours and a new severance fund. 

The government has also proposed measures to limit judicial “discretion” in disputes between workers and employers. The proposal would also relax rules governing vacations.

Another key issue is the creation of a special regime for platform delivery workers, described as “independent workers.”

The draft sets out tax and social security obligations, along with the right to reject orders without justification and the right to receive explanations in cases of app suspensions.

– TIMES/PERFIL