Amid growing social concern over Argentine families' debt, the ruling party La Libertad Avanza (LLA) has launched a legislative strategy to defuse the special session called by the opposition for September 9. The move involved convening informational meetings in the Finance and Disability committees, which had been inactive, aiming to control debate timing and reduce support for the opposition's initiative.
The opposition, led by Cecilia Moreau (Unión por la Patria) and Pablo Juliano (Provincias Unidas), had pushed for a special session to address two key bills: family debt relief and the extension of the Disability Emergency Law (Law 27.793). However, the ruling party responded by activating the committees and summoning experts, a clear move to delay proceedings and show the topics are already on the agenda.
Finance Committee: The Debate on Delinquency
The Finance Committee, chaired by libertarian deputy Santiago Pauli, began discussing the more than 40 bills presented by the opposition to address family debt. Pauli set a work schedule including informational meetings on September 8 and 16, and committee meetings on September 23 and 30, the deadline for issuing an opinion.
Among the invited guests is Martín Tetaz, an economist and former UCR deputy, whose statements on debt sparked controversy. Tetaz had said that “debt is not only for eating” and that “half of delinquents owe less than $180,000,” which the opposition interpreted as downplaying the problem.
Also invited were Víctor Hugo Ruilova Quezada, Arturo Pozzali (Ombudsman of CABA), Osvaldo Giordano (IERAL), Jorge Colina (Idesa), Mariano Flores Vidal and Pablo Curat (former BCRA directors), and Matías Huala (ITBA).
Disability Committee: The Emergency at Stake
Meanwhile, the Disability Committee, chaired by Gerardo Huesen (LLA), held its first meeting of the year to discuss the extension of the Disability Emergency, which expires on December 31, 2026. The opposition bill, just three articles long, seeks to extend the emergency until December 31, 2027.
In this first meeting, Huesen denied participation to organizations of people with disabilities and service providers, drawing criticism from the opposition. Invitees were Alejandro Vilches (National Secretary for Disability), Esteban Giler (Undersecretary of Access Policies), and Gianfranco Scigliano (Undersecretary of Regulation).
The Opposition's Stance: 'Delaying Tactic'
The opposition was quick to react. Cecilia Moreau and Pablo Juliano accused the ruling party of using a “delaying tactic” and confirmed the special session for September 9. According to their data, more than 20 million people are in debt and 6 million are in arrears. “The government denies reality and delays the debate,” they said.
The request for a special session was signed by Pablo Juliano (Provincias Unidas), Germán Martínez (UxP), Oscar Herrera Ahuad (Argentina Federal), Sebastián Nóblega (Elijo Catamarca), Marcela Pagano (Coherencia), Maximiliano Ferraro (Coalición Cívica), Nicolás del Caño (FIT), and Miguel Pichetto (Encuentro Federal).
The Government's Response
From the ruling party, Santiago Pauli defended the “serious discussion” with experts and rejected accusations of delay. Deputy Martín Menem noted that “every time the state intervened, things ended up worse,” referring to price control and regulation policies.
The government is evaluating alternatives to ease the situation for debtors but is waiting for the return of the Central Bank president, Santiago Bausili, to advance an official proposal. This wait creates uncertainty about timelines and concrete measures.
Key Data
- Special session date: September 9, 2026.
- Bills under debate: family debt relief and extension of the Disability Emergency Law.
- Disability emergency expiration: December 31, 2026.
- Proposed extension: until December 31, 2027.
- People in debt: over 20 million (according to the opposition).
- People in arrears: 6 million (according to the opposition).
- Next committee meetings: 8/9, 16/9, 23/9, and 30/9.