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Argentine Senate passes gas subsidy cuts and BCRA reform FAST-MOVING
The Argentine Senate has passed two significant legislative reforms: the modification of the 'Zonas Frías' (Cold Zones) gas subsidy regime and a reform of the Central Bank (BCRA) organic charter.
The 'Zonas Frías' law restricts automatic gas subsidies to the Patagonia, Puna, and Malargüe regions. This move reverses an expansion implemented in 2021, effectively removing automatic benefits for approximately 1.6 million households in provinces such as Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Santa Fe, and Mendoza. Under the new law, residents in these areas can only access subsidies if they prove socio-economic vulnerability, with income limits set at three basic food baskets. Additionally, the subsidy will now apply only to the gas generation price (PIST) rather than the total utility bill, which may lead to increased costs for many users.
Separately, the Senate approved the BCRA organic charter reform, which will now return to the Chamber of Deputies for further review due to amendments. The reform aims to prohibit the Central Bank from providing direct or indirect financing to the National Treasury or provinces. It also establishes that the President and directors of the BCRA can be removed by an absolute majority rather than a two-thirds majority. The reform also allows the BCRA to utilize its external assets and reserves, including gold and liquid assets, to manage its operations.
Entities
Argentine Senate · Banco Central de la República Argentina · Central Bank of Argentina · Central Bank of the Argentine Republic · Diego Santilli · Javier Milei · Karina Milei · La Libertad Avanza · Patricia Bullrich · Senado de la Nación Argentina · Senate of Argentina
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 7 SOURCES] The 'Zonas Frías' reform would limit gas subsidies to the PIST rather than the total bill. radiociudad945.com.ar · www.bigbangnews.com · www.dataclave.com.ar · frenteacano.com.ar · www.mardelplataweb.com · +2 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] Karina Milei held a meeting with La Libertad Avanza senators to coordinate the legislative agenda radiomhumahuaca.com.ar
- [● 7 SOURCES] The 'Zonas Frías' reform could exclude several provinces including Mendoza, San Luis, and Córdoba from current benefits www.dataclave.com.ar · www.bigbangnews.com · frenteacano.com.ar · radiovillamaria.com.ar · tucumandigital.com.ar · +1 more
- [● 14 SOURCES] The Senate approved the Central Bank (BCRA) organic charter reform with changes. elsubmarinojujuy.com.ar · radiomhumahuaca.com.ar · www.dataclave.com.ar · elestadista.com.ar · eleconomista.com.ar · +5 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] The reform aims to prohibit direct and indirect financing of the National Treasury. www.dataclave.com.ar · elsubmarinojujuy.com.ar · elestadista.com.ar · eleconomista.com.ar · suquia.ar · +3 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] Approximately 1.6 million households will lose the automatic benefit. www.bigbangnews.com · frenteacano.com.ar · radiovillamaria.com.ar · 94diez.com
- [DISPUTED] The reform proposes that directors be removed by an absolute majority rather than a two-thirds majority. mediosrioja.com.ar · radiomhumahuaca.com.ar · elestadista.com.ar · eleconomista.com.ar · www.parlamentario.com · +4 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] Patricia Bullrich led negotiations to secure a quorum for the Senate session radiomhumahuaca.com.ar
- [● 11 SOURCES] The Senate approved the 'Zonas Frías' reform with 38 votes in favor and 8 against. 94diez.com · frenteacano.com.ar · www.losprimeros.tv · itunet.com.ar · radiovillamaria.com.ar · +6 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] The reform restricts automatic gas subsidies to the Patagonia, Puna, and Malargüe regions. frenteacano.com.ar · www.losprimeros.tv · tucumandigital.com.ar · fmalpha.com.ar
- [● 3 SOURCES] The reform allows the BCRA to use its assets and reserves, such as gold and liquid assets. www.informeseprimero.com.ar · www.mitdf.com.ar · lapioneradeclorinda.com