VOLTAR

1. The Chamber of Deputies approved the single electronic ballot

The Chamber of Deputies passed into law the Single Paper Ballot with 143 votes in favor, 87 against and 5 abstentions. The proposal was supported by all the political arc with the exception of Unión por la Patria, which voted against, and the Left, which abstained. Likewise, a project of the Minister of Security of the Nation, Patricia Bullrich, which aims at regularizing the possession of firearms and simplifying the corresponding procedures so that the users can declare them and/or request their destruction anonymously, was approved. The text obtained, in general, 142 positive votes, 89 negative votes and one abstention. The rejection came, once again, from Unión por la Patria. Finally, with 137 affirmative votes, 92 negative votes and no abstentions, the Deputies approved the bill promoted by the Minister of Security, Patricia Bullrich, for an integral approach to organized crime, better known as “Anti-Mafia Law”. The text establishes the application of the same penalty to all members of an illicit association involved in crimes related to drug trafficking, money laundering, child pornography, illegal deprivation of liberty, kidnapping, coercion, threats, extortion, human trafficking, organ trafficking and public intimidation.

La Nación: Histórico cambio en la forma de votar: el Congreso aprobó la boleta única de papel

2. Javier Milei Vetoes University Funding Law Following Massive March on Congress

On Wednesday, October 2nd, professors, students, political and social leaders, trade unions, and community members marched in front of the National Congress demanding greater investment in education and better salaries for faculty and staff. The demands extend to all public universities, with demonstrations taking place across the country. Despite this, President Javier Milei vetoed the University Funding Law passed by Congress, a decision he had announced prior to the march. Although the law represents only 0.14% of GDP, the President’s decision is based on his policy of maintaining fiscal solvency. Among those participating in the mobilization at the National Congress were Horacio Rodríguez Larreta, former Head of Government of the City of Buenos Aires; Sergio Massa, former presidential candidate and opposition leader; and Jorge Macri, current Head of Government of the City, and Elisa Carrió, leader of the Civic Coalition, who also expressed their support. Vice President Victoria Villarruel called for an audit.

Clarín: Javier Milei vetó la ley de financiamiento universitario, luego de la masiva marcha al Congreso

3. The Government reduces tariffs for the country’s imports and exports

The Government has made new modifications that benefit the country’s imports and exports. Through General Resolution 5,579/2024 of the Federal Administration of Public Revenues, benefits were determined for companies that are under the domiciliary customs regime and also have the maximum category of the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program, such as a 50% reduction in annual guarantees. At the same time, the government has announced that it will publish a decree establishing the reduction of import tariffs in key sectors, such as telecommunications, information technology and medical technology, in order to stimulate productive modernization and encourage investments. In this context, 21 products -among them PET plastic, copper tubes and textile inputs- which had tariffs of between 12.6% and 35%, will be reduced to values of between 2% and 20%. Also, 38 pieces of machinery -including industrial furnaces, boilers and engines not produced in Argentina- which had a tariff of between 12.6% and 35%, will be reduced to a tariff of between 2% and 12.6%. These measures are part of a policy aimed at optimizing foreign trade and increasing the competitiveness of Argentine companies.

Ámbito Financiero: La AFIP baja hasta 50% un costo “innecesario” para el comercio exterior
Ministerio de Economía: El Gobierno continúa reduciendo aranceles

4. Revenue fell 3.4% in September

Supported on this occasion by an important contribution from Personal Property and an acceptable contribution from export duties, tax collection in September amounted to 12,844,457 million. This figure represented a nominal increase of 198.5% with respect to the same month of last year, but in real terms -that is to say, discounting inflation- it represented a drop of 3.4%. It should be taken into account that this drop, much milder than the 14% real drop suffered in August, was tempered by the fact that in September there were revenues corresponding to palliative and relevant fiscal measures, such as the Exceptional Regularization Regime for Tax, Customs and Social Security Obligations (moratorium) and the Special Regime for Income from Personal Property Tax.

La Nación: La recaudación tuvo en septiembre una caída real de 3,4%

5. Due to a lack of interest, the government extends the deadline for the capital amnesty program

The capital amnesty program seeks to incorporate previously undeclared assets and holdings into the legal system through a penalty, also known as a special regularization tax. Among the key points of this measure, implemented by the Milei administration, are progressive tax rates, the creation of a minimum tax, and the guarantee of fiscal stability for those who choose to pay their Personal Assets Tax in advance. The positive impact of this regularization on international reserves will be determined by several factors. Firstly, the amount collected from the penalties, which are paid in dollars, will have a direct effect. Secondly, the amount of dollars that banks allocate to loans for exporters can also have an influence. While the amount collected has exceeded that of other amnesty programs, such as the one in 2016, it has not achieved the expected results. Consequently, the government has extended the deadline to apply for this measure until October 31st.

MDZ Online: Blanqueo de capitales: en la nueva etapa, se espera que el 40% de los dólares vuelvan al colchón