Senate on Thursday Debated a Controversial Private Property Rights Reform Bill As Protesters Gathered Outside Congress Amid a Heavy Security

The bill, dubbed the Private Property Inviolability Law, would expand owners' rights, speed up tenant evictions, and further restrict state expropriations. lifting restrictions on foreign ownership of rural land—was removed after the ruling party, La Libertad Avanza (LLA), failed to secure enough support amid widespread backlash. The original proposal sought to eliminate all restrictions, but after allied blocs opposed it, LLA amended it to raise the cap from 15% to 25%, which still failed.

Public opposition included musicians Emilia Mernes, Tini Stoessel, Lali Espósito, Dillom, and L-Gante, plus Argentina defender Lisandro Martínez. Several governors also voiced opposition. President Javier Milei had earlier tried to lift restrictions by decree in late 2023, but a federal judge struck it down, ruling it endangered sovereignty.

Remaining provisions include amending wildfire rules to allow land-use changes in burned areas, repealing 60-year protections for burned forests and wetlands and 30-year restrictions on burned agricultural land, though native forest protections remain unspecified. The bill also introduces express evictions for tenants who fail to pay rent, giving them 10 days to settle overdue payments before expedited eviction. It would tighten standards for expropriations, requiring stricter public-interest tests and full compensation, including lost profits, before authorities take possession. LLA had postponed debate in June and July due to lack of votes, a problem persisting ahead of Thursday's session.