Argentines protest ahead of likely approval of austerity budget

As the Argentine Senate opened debate Wednesday on a budget that would convert President Mauricio Macri's austerity deal with the International Monetary Fund into law, protesters comprised of trade unions and leftist groups descended on the Congress building.

Protesters carried signs, flags and banners and made their way to the square in front of the Argentine Congress where bands played music and food was prepared for the hungry.

Despite the opposition, the budget is expected to be approved late Wednesday after debate ends in the Senate. The legislation was already approved by the lower chamber in October.

The budget features sharp reductions in government spending and tax increases aimed at cutting the primary fiscal deficit from a projected 2.7 percent of gross domestic product this year to zero in 2019.

Macri hopes to have the budget approved before the G20 Summit that will take place in Buenos Aires at the end of November.

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