Riot police clash with crowds in Buenos Aires after protests over president's economic reforms

Riot police in Argentina used tear gas and rubber bullets as they clashed with crowds protesting President Javier Milei’s economic reform plans outside the country’s Congress.

Demonstrators in Buenos Aires - who say the measures will hurt millions of Argentines - lobbed petrol bombs and stones and set cars alight.

Eyewitnesses said dozens of demonstrators and a handful of MPs received medical attention. At least five opposition MPs in the crowd were hospitalised, legislator Cecilia Moreau told AFP news agency.

At least 20 police officers were injured, officials said. Security forces said 15 people had been arrested.

Thousands of protesters gathered in the shadow of the country’s domed Congress building on Wednesday, in a demonstration against proposed austerity measures contained in a wide-reaching bill being debated.

As senators looked over the bills, protesters hurled sticks, stones and Molotov cocktails at police who sprayed water cannons, pepper spray and tear gas to disperse the huge crowds.

The Senate narrowly approved the controversial measures from President Milei, that are intended to boost the country’s flagging economy.

The reforms include declaring a state of economic emergency, cutting pensions and watering down labour rights.

The legislation delegates broad powers to the president in energy, pensions, security and other areas and includes several measures seen as controversial, including a generous incentive scheme for foreign investors, tax amnesty for those with undeclared assets and plans to privatise some of Argentina’s state-owned firms.

Annual inflation is currently close to 300 per cent, while more than half of Argentines are now living in poverty.

Senators voted 37 to 36 late on Wednesday to give their overall approval to the overhaul bill after 11 hours of heated debate while protesters clashed outside.

The bill will now be looked at point by point before its expected full approval on Thursday.

It will then return to the lower house of the Senate to be given a final green light.