Hundreds of activists and people with disabilities took to the streets of Argentina's capital Buenos Aires on Tuesday to protest President Javier Milei's vetoes on pension and disability spending increases.

Milei, a Libertarian, on Monday vetoed an attempt to increase spending on pensions and a law expanding protections for people with disabilities, saying the legislation would have undermined his flagship pledge to eliminate the country’s chronic fiscal deficit before October’s midterm elections.

Some of the protesters were transported in wheelchairs, others struggled to stand on crutches, while several were unable to express themselves due to neurological conditions.

During the protest in front of the Argentine Congress, many shared their fear that their situation would worsen as a result of Milei's decision to veto a law that sought to strengthen the assistance system that is meant to protect them.

They called on lawmakers to insist on the bill they passed in July, declaring an emergency in the benefits system for people with disabilities and demanding improved funding.

Similar protests took place in other cities across the country.

Milei's administration argued that Congress passed the measures without identifying how they would be funded, calling the bills inconsistent with his mandate to eliminate the fiscal deficit.

The vetoed spending, including a proposed 7.2% pension hike, would have represented nearly 1% of GDP this year and more next, threatening Milei’s goal of balancing the budget ahead of October’s midterm elections.

Since taking office in late 2023, Milei has consistently rejected any move to raise public spending, repeating the slogan “there is no money” in response to demands for restored subsidies or aid.

While his austerity policies have succeeded in lowering monthly inflation to below 2% for the first time in five years, they have also brought economic hardship for many Argentines — with rising unemployment, falling real wages, and persistent inflation still at 40% year-on-year.

The administration defends its approach as necessary, claiming the only path to restoring Argentina's economic health is through fiscal honesty and sacrifice.

Milei’s vetoes face potential pushback in Congress, though overturning them would require a two-thirds majority in both chambers — a difficult task given his party’s minority position.

Still, his alliance with the conservative PRO bloc helped him block similar pension increases last year.

As the October midterms approach, Milei is banking on growing support to strengthen his party’s hold in Congress.

Video by Cristian Kovadloff