Buenos Aires was rocked by clashes over President Miley’s reforms

Riot police in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires, fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters outside Congress, where lawmakers are discussing budget-cutting reforms.

The demonstrators – who say the measures will harm millions of Argentines – threw petrol bombs and rocks, setting one car on fire.

There were reports that a number of people were injured, and local media described the scene on Wednesday as a “battlefield.”

The reform package, proposed by right-wing President Javier Miley to revive the country’s faltering economy, includes declaring a state of economic emergency, cutting pensions and easing workers’ rights.

These measures are opposed by left-wing political parties, trade unions and social organizations.

Fights broke out when demonstrators tried to make their way toward Congress through the fences, with demonstrators throwing rocks at officers who pepper-sprayed them.

Observers and opposition MPs reportedly said that dozens of protesters and a handful of MPs received medical care. Representative Cecilia Moro told Agence France-Presse that at least five opposition representatives who were in the crowd were taken to hospital.

Police later responded to protesters who reportedly set fire to two vehicles, including a news organization’s car.

Agence France-Presse quoted Fabio Nunez, a 55-year-old protesting lawyer, as saying: “We cannot believe that we are discussing in Argentina a law that will take us back 100 years.”

President Milley’s office issued a statement in which he thanked the security forces for suppressing what he described as “terrorists” trying to carry out a coup.

Discussion on the bill in the Senate is scheduled to continue until late Wednesday, and senators are expected to vote on it.

The House of Representatives approved the highly contentious bill in April, with major changes.

If approved in the Senate, it will return to the lower hours for final approval.

Miley comes into office in 2023 after pledging to take the chainsaw to public spending.

While campaigning, he even brandished a chainsaw while giving a speech to symbolize his determination to do so.