Retirees clash with police in Buenos Aires over pension veto

Retirees marched on Wednesday in Buenos Aires to protest Argentina's President Javier Milei's planned veto. This comes in light of the bill passed last week by the local Congress to increase the minimum pension.

Last week, the Argentine senate approved a bill to increase pension benefits by over 8 percent.

Although the government managed to slow down the rise in prices, the increase in the cost of living in July was 4 percent, and cumulative inflation in the first seven months of the year reached 87 percent.

The annual inflation rate is around 263.4 percent at a time when the minimum monthly pension is about 225,000 pesos (approximately £190), and the basic basket of food, medicines, and other goods and services for an adult exceeds 291,000 pesos (about £245).

So, why the protest? The reason was the veto announced by President Javier Milei against the bill raising pensions.

The retirees' demonstration took place on Wednesday in the centre of the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires.

They treated us with gas in the eyes. It's some kind of madness; it's very sad - said one of the retired women who took part in the protest.

The demonstrators gathered around the parliament and president's headquarters and loudly expressed their opposition. Officers tried to push the protesters onto the pavement and then used tear gas.

The last few months in Argentina have been marked by mass protests concerning the government's policies and the difficult economic situation. The difficulties faced by the country's residents also affect tourists.

Remember that on 24 January an all-national general strike was declared in Buenos Aires. Airports were closed, and all flights were cancelled. Tourists were stranded on the streets of the Argentinian capital. The protests are conducted against the rule of Javier Milei but also due to the gigantic inflation and rising prices, which are not accompanied by an equivalent increase in wages.