Clashes outside Argentina Congress after pension hike blocked

A demonstrator reacts in front of police officers during a protest against Argentina's President Javier Milei's decision to veto a pension reform, outside the National Congress, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, September 11, 2024. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentine protesters clashed with police outside the country's Congress on Wednesday, after lower house lawmakers voted to block a planned hike to pensions that had been opposed by right-wing libertarian President Javier Milei.

The chamber of deputies voted 153 in favor of the pension hike with 87 against it, falling short of the two-thirds needed to approve the bill after Milei had previously vetoed it saying that it put the country's plan for a fiscal balance at risk.