Argentina Senate poised to pass Land Law after August 6 session

Argentina's Senate is set to revisit the contentious Land Law project after its treatment was postponed last week due to a lack of consensus. Senator Carolina Losada expressed optimism that the initiative can be advanced and approved after the next session scheduled for August 6.

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I think the votes were there. Probably someone had some doubt about some point and during this time, until August 6, it will surely be resolved or, if any modification is needed, it will be made.

Losada believes the votes were nearly there, suggesting that any remaining doubts or necessary modifications can be addressed before the upcoming session. Her political group is pushing for changes to enhance oversight of foreign land purchases. Key proposals include a ban on foreign state-owned entities acquiring land in Argentina and a requirement for dual approval, from both provincial and national governments, for companies with state participation.

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It is always beneficial that we are all attentive to anything that might be overlooked, and it is good that everyone is heard, as is happening now in the Senate.

The proposed legislation also seeks to eliminate the "administrative silence" clause, which automatically granted authorization if authorities failed to respond within a set timeframe. Losada emphasized that both provincial and national governments should be accountable for these decisions. While acknowledging that foreign individuals can already acquire land under Argentina's constitution, she noted that modifications are acceptable if needed during negotiations.

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The project prohibits a foreign state from buying land in Argentina.

The Senate will resume its session on August 6, but Losada cautioned that the bill will only be debated once sufficient support is secured. The Land Law project is part of a broader discussion on the inviolability of private property.

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The Constitution already contemplates that right. Article 20 establishes that foreign citizens have the same rights to acquire property and trade. That is already in the Constitution.