Argentina Senate debates land‑sale law as Villarruel and Bullrich clash

The Argentine Senate scheduled a session to debate the government’s “inviolability of private property” bill, which would eliminate existing limits on foreign acquisition of rural lands and modify rules on expropriation, evictions and fire management. The debate has been repeatedly postponed because of quorum problems, culminating in a fourth intermission that pushes the next vote to 6 August.

The legislative fight coincided with a sharp personal clash between Vice‑President Victoria Villarruel and Senate block leader Patricia Bullrich. In a WhatsApp exchange Villarruel asked, “¿Cómo vamos a tener sesión después de haber casi ganado el Mundial?” and accused the government of “selling the country.” Bullrich replied, “No se venden tierras. Se desarrolla el país,” and later told Villarruel to resign if she disagreed. Villarruel also retorted, “Andá a chuparle las medias a Karina.” Several senators, including Cristina López and Lilia Lemoine, publicly denounced the proposal as a “law of delivery” that threatens national sovereignty. The government argues the reform removes barriers to investment in the forest‑industrial sector. The session also included the approval of dozens of judicial and diplomatic pliegos.