26.04.201820:27:00UTC+00ARGENTINA: Ruling Lawmakers Block Discussion On Increase In Utility Billing

Ruling lawmakers in the Argentinean House of Representatives once again thwarted the as opposition attempt to discuss 29 projects that seek to reduce or freeze utility bills. That was the second attempt of discussion by opposition lawmakers in the lower house.

Such as happened last week, several ruling lawmakers did not show up, and there was not enough quorum to start the session. The opposition accuses Mauricio Macri's allies of maneuvering to avoid debate on the issue.

During the thwarted session, the opposition lawmakers should try to approve legislation capable of reducing or at least freezing the increase until 2019. For its turn, ruling lawmakers were initially expected to move ahead with legislation to remove municipal and provincial taxes from the billings.

The increase in rates and services directly impacted inflation in the first quarter of 2018.