The Lower House was beginning to address the reform of Argentina’s intelligence services involving the creation of the Federal Agency of Intelligence (AFI), a bill that was submitted by President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner following the death of AMIA special prosecutor Alberto Nisman back in January.
Prior to the debate, a minute of silence to honour Alberto Nisman was held at the request of Radical Party’s (UCR) Mario Negri. Meanwhile, head of the Victory Front (FpV) caucus Juliana Di Tullio requested an applause to mark the 65th birthday of late ex president Néstor Kirchner.
Broad swathes of the opposition have decided to participate in the Lower House debate on intelligence reform, reversing the strategy so far but leaving the door open to a withdrawal when the votes are set to be cast.
As the reform made it throughout the Senate the opposition refused to participate in the committee meetings or vote, citing what they called a false debate and “cosmetic” changes to the country’s intelligence structure.
In the Lower House only the Civic Coalition, the Leftist Workers’ Front, Unidad Popular and the Compromiso Federal participated in the debate during the committee-level meetings but the the Broad Progressive Front, Renewal Front, and PRO finally confirmed they were going to participate in today’s session.
buenosairesherald.com