Thousands march in Argentina to demand implementation of public university funding law

Protesters demand implementation of law to secure resources for universities, staff salaries, student scholarships

Thousands of students, graduates, teachers and university staff marched to Argentina’s Congress in the capital, Buenos Aires, on Thursday to demand that President Javier Milei’s government implement a law guaranteeing funding for public universities.

“We demand that the government comply with the law once and for all,” said one of the university representatives.

The fifth Federal University March brought together university communities, trade unions, political parties and social organisations. The main demonstration took place outside Congress, where protesters called for increased university funding and salary adjustments.

Protesters demanded the implementation of the University Funding Law to secure resources for universities, staff salaries, and student scholarships.

The demonstration coincided with an opposition effort to debate the repeal of Decree 70/2023, signed by Milei shortly after he took office in December 2023. They failed to secure the quorum needed to open the special session in the Chamber of Deputies, however.

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The Senate rejected the measure in March 2024, but it remained in force pending action by the lower house. The decree introduced extensive changes to Argentina’s legal and economic framework, including the repeal of a law restricting foreign ownership of rural land.

The protests followed a court ruling ordering the government to implement the University Funding Law and update salaries and scholarships. The government appealed the decision. Authorities deployed security forces around Congress, erecting barriers and restricting traffic. Police used tear gas against protesters, according to local media.

The mobilisation was part of a nationwide day of demonstrations, with university communities and social organisations also gathering in other cities to demand funding for public higher education.