Argentina’s Congress approved a pension increase on Thursday, despite strong objections from President Javier Milei’s administration, which argued the measure could jeopardise the country’s fiscal surplus.

The Senate, where opposition parties hold a majority, passed the bill with 52 votes in favour and four abstentions. The lower house had already given its approval.

President Milei has pledged to veto any pension hikes, as he did with a similar proposal last year. Since taking office, he has implemented cuts to public spending in an effort to control inflation, though these austerity measures have also impacted workers.

In response to economic pressures, retirees have been staging weekly protests in Buenos Aires, calling for adjustments to their pensions and at times clashing with security forces.