News of congress

It takes two to tango even when dancing alone

04-03-2023 03:02 Most of the reactions to the two-hour state-of-the-nation address of President Alberto Fernández to open Congress on Wednesday fall into its trap of placing their main focus on its explosive climax, thus limiting the debate to the judicial arena rather than tackling the deeper and more complex problems facing Argentina.

President raises stakes, reignites feud with Judiciary

03-03-2023 10:30 Alberto Fernández delivered the traditional state-of-the-nation speech to the legislative assembly on Wednesday, marking the beginning of the congressional year. Defending his administration and pretending all is well with his vice-president, the president trained his ire on the Supreme Court and the justice system, ramping up tensions in a crunch election year.

by Michael Soltys

Lula candidate wins Brazil Senate chief post

02-02-2023 14:31 Rodrigo Pacheco, who was backed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, was reelected the leader of Brazil's Senate Wednesday, fending off a challenge from a rival supported by far-right ex-president Jair Bolsonaro.

Brazil's Congress elects new authorities under tight security

01-02-2023 16:58 Brazil's Congress on Wednesday elects presidents of both chambers; Inauguration of lawmakers takes place amid reinforced security after attacks on the government buildings in Brasília.

Brazil capital's security boosted, 39 charged over uprising

17-01-2023 10:08 Authorities formally charge 39 people with crimes against the state as security deployment in Brasilia is ramped up.

Government summons Congress to debate Supreme Court impeachment

13-01-2023 18:06 President Alberto Fernández’s government calls extraordinary sessions of Congress, starting January 23; Among bills are one that would impeach members of the Supreme Court for "poor performance."

Brazil's Bolsonaro hospitalised with abdominal pain

09-01-2023 18:49 Bolsonaro, 67, was admitted to AdventHealth Celebration acute care hospital outside Orlando, Florida, with abdominal pain.

President Alberto Fernández assails 'coup attempt' in Brazil

09-01-2023 00:00 Vice-President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner also condemns attack, attributing it to "hate speech in the media and social networks."

Pro-Bolsonaro rioters invade Brasília in challenge to Lula

08-01-2023 22:32 Thousands of supporters of Jair Bolsonaro stormed the country’s top government institutions on Sunday in an insurrection just a week after the former president left office.

Lawmakers head for early recess, leaving a host of pending bills

29-12-2022 00:10 With little chance of congressional activity resuming in the immediate future, Argentina's lawmakers are heading off for recess, leaving a host of bills pending.

Election showed Brazil's far-right was sold short, say analysts

06-10-2022 01:20 Jair Bolsonaro was not the only one to have a surprisingly strong night in Brazil's elections: the far-right incumbent's allies also outperformed expectations in key congressional and governor's races.

Government's budget bill forecasts 60% inflation in 2023

16-09-2022 09:01 Argentina's government will forecast inflation hitting 60% in 2023 in its proposed budget, according to sources in Economy Ministry.

‘Super’ economy minister faces mounting crisis ahead

01-08-2022 14:10 Following days of uncertainty during the absence of then Economy Minister Silvina Batakis in Washington, the cabinet changes under study by President Alberto Fernández since midweek started falling into place soon after her return Thursday with Congress Speaker Sergio Massa the new “super-minister.”

Paris Club requires Argentina stick to IMF deal to rework debt

07-07-2022 14:20 Paris Club group of wealthy creditors says government must give assurances that it will comply with IMF deal if talks over restructuring of debt are to continue.

Argentina formalises debt repayment deferment with Paris Club

31-05-2022 13:07 President Alberto Fernández's government reaches a deal with the Paris Club to postpone payments on more than US$2 billion of debt for more than two years.

Colombian outsider makes run-off with real shot at presidency

31-05-2022 11:18 Rodolfo Hernández, who was little known at the start of the year, surged into Colombia’s presidential run-off – and he now has a real chance at winning against leftist rival Gustavo Petro.

María Eugenia Vidal: 'I would like to be Argentina's president'

25-04-2022 17:44 National lawmaker reignites speculation over opposition's 2023 candidate by admitting that she would like to be Argentina’s president.

Sergio Massa: ‘I stopped basing my politics on articles or opinion polls a long time ago’

25-03-2022 12:00 Lower House speaker on tensions in the ruling coalition, the approval of the IMF debt deal and whether he’ll run for the Presidency in 2023.

by Jorge Fontevecchia

Government admits to growing tensions within Frente de Todos

18-03-2022 21:18 Vote on IMF debt deal exposes split within ruling coalition; Government spokesperson Gabriela Cerruti admits to tensions between President Alberto Fernández and Vice-President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.

Senate approves IMF deal, now goes to board vote

18-03-2022 09:10 In a 56-13 vote with three abstentions, senators approve legislation underpinning Argentina’s latest IMF programme.