A New Push with Renewed Consensus
Argentina’s ruling coalition is gearing up to resume debate in the Senate on Thursday, August 6, 2026, hoping to secure half-sanction for one of the government’s most ambitious reforms.
After months of negotiations and intense dialogue with various blocs, La Libertad Avanza (LLA) has made strategic modifications to the Inviolability of Private Property Bill, championed by the Minister of Deregulation and State Transformation, Federico Sturzenegger. The head of the ruling bloc in the upper house, Patricia Bullrich, will hold a press conference this Tuesday, August 4, at 4:00 PM to detail the new text.
Key Changes to the Land Law
The biggest shift concerns the purchase of land by foreign capital. The original proposal sought to eliminate all limits on foreign acquisition of national territory. However, in a clear gesture of openness, the government has agreed to set a new cap.
According to Infobae, the negotiated text raises the limit from the current 15% to 25% of each province’s territory that can be owned by foreign individuals or companies.
What is Law 26.737?
To understand the debate, it’s essential to know the Rural Land Law in effect since 2011. This law prohibits the sale of more than 15% of national, provincial, or departmental territory to foreigners. Additionally, no single foreign entity can hold more than 30% of that quota. The new bill aims to relax these limits to attract investment while maintaining a sovereign safeguard.
The Hunt for the Necessary Votes
The goal of these concessions is to reach the 36 votes required to pass the initiative. As of last weekend, the ruling bloc had a maximum of 34 votes, but with this new framework they hope to add support from dialoguing blocs.
The bill has traveled a long legislative path since its introduction to Congress on March 27, 2026. After 17 drafts and several attempts on the floor, the government is optimistic. 'They are on vacation, but they will come,' Bullrich said confidently about allied senators attending Thursday’s session, as reported by La Nación.
The Political Factor: Milei’s Trip and Villarruel’s Role
A key detail is President Javier Milei’s schedule: he will leave for Ecuador on Wednesday night. Once he leaves Argentine airspace, Vice President Victoria Villarruel would become acting president. Since Villarruel has expressed opposition to Sturzenegger’s bill, she would not be able to preside over the Senate in case of a tie. Instead, the session would be chaired by libertarian senator Bartolomé Abdala, securing an extra vote for the government in a tight scenario.
What Else Does the Bill Include?
The initiative is a comprehensive package aimed at modernizing several regulations to promote economic freedom and legal certainty:
- Expropriation Regime (Law 21.499): Requires that any declaration of public utility meet standards of suitability, necessity, and proportionality, ensuring fair compensation without state distortions.
- Evictions: Introduces reforms to the Civil and Commercial Procedure Code to speed up the restitution of properties in cases of illegal occupation, through summary proceedings with judicial oversight.
- Fire Management Law: Modifies articles to free up the use of properties affected by disasters, aiming to boost economic recovery in impacted areas.
With social opposition expected to take to the streets this Thursday in front of Congress, the government is confident that the new adjustments demonstrate a willingness to balance investment attraction with national sovereignty. The details of this new legislative chapter will be communicated on Tuesday at Bullrich’s press conference, marking a decisive step toward the law’s approval.
Sources: Infobae, La Nación, Parlamentario.