Más desregulación: el Gobierno prepara un nuevo paquete de reformas y evalúa pedir seis meses de facultades delegadas

The Argentine government has prepared a new package of deregulation measures aimed at modifying long-standing economic rules in sensitive sectors. The proposed reforms include changes to drug sales, river navigation, real estate markets, rural leases, the wine industry, book trade, gas cylinder regulations, the financial system, public translators, and cooperatives. These adjustments aim to reduce costs, increase competition, and eliminate barriers to entry in these industries. However, the proposal includes a controversial final clause requesting six months of delegated powers from Congress to implement further deregulations through executive decree. The draft was developed by the Ministry of Deregulation and State Transformation, led by Federico Sturzenegger, and is currently under review. It awaits the signature of President Javier Milei before being submitted to Congress. The initiative reflects ongoing efforts to streamline regulatory frameworks and promote economic freedom, though such moves have faced resistance from political factions and interest groups. Delegated powers would allow the president to exercise legislative functions for a defined period, specifically six months, over certain areas of administration or during a public emergency. During this time, decrees must be monitored by the Bicameral Commission of Congress responsible for overseeing urgent and necessary measures. The executive proposes declaring an administrative and jurisdictional emergency to enable modifications or repeal of laws deemed restrictive of competition or harmful to market access. In exchange, the government will submit quarterly reports to Congress detailing the actions taken. This approach mirrors past attempts to expedite deregulation, such as during the passage of the Law on Foundations, although this time it is focused solely on economic deregulation. The plan seeks to bypass the need for individual legislation for each change, thereby accelerating the removal of outdated or burdensome regulations. Among the most contentious aspects of the proposal is its impact on pharmaceutical regulation. The government aims to allow over-the-counter medications to be displayed in supermarket shelves, alongside expanding online sales with home delivery options. Currently, except for Farmacity, which secured a court order, medicinal products can only be sold in pharmacies under pharmacological supervision. Some of these changes were previously included in Decree 70/23 but were partially suspended due to precautionary measures initiated by pharmaceutical entities. Now, the ruling party seeks legal backing through legislation. The draft also abolishes the uniform pricing regime for books, allowing each bookstore to set their own prices for identical titles and offer promotions. If approved, this could significantly alter the retail landscape for literature. Other provisions touch upon the regulation of gas cylinders, aiming to simplify procedures and enhance accessibility. The financial sector is also targeted, with potential changes to lending practices and investment rules designed to foster greater flexibility and innovation. The proposal faces opposition from both political opponents and industry stakeholders who argue that rapid deregulation could undermine consumer protection and create market instability. Previous initiatives, such as the property rights package that allows foreign sale of national land and facilitates eviction processes, have been delayed due to lack of support in Congress. Similarly, the so-called "Hojarasca" project, intended to abolish outdated economic restrictions, and the new General Corporate Law, proposing a more flexible corporate framework incorporating automated systems linked to blockchain and artificial intelligence, have also stalled. As the government prepares to present the proposal, the debate over deregulation continues to intensify, highlighting the complex interplay between economic policy, legislative process, and societal interests. The outcome of this initiative will likely shape Argentina’s regulatory environment for years to come.