Protest as Argentina judicial reform bill debated

Demonstrators groups gathered outside Argentina's Congress in Buenos Aires on Thursday to protest the government's controversial justice reform project.

Meanwhile, inside the building, senators discussed the legislation which, according to the opposition, seeks to protect Vice President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.

Fernández de Kirchner faces numerous formal investigations into allegations of money laundering and criminal association.

She also faces trial on charges that she covered up the role of Iranians alleged to be tied to a 1994 terrorist bombing at a Buenos Aires Jewish centre that killed 85 people.

Thursday's debate was led by the vice president herself as head of the Senate.

One of the objections from the opposition group, Together for Change, is that the bill aims to dilute the power of the federal courts dealing with hot cases of alleged political corruption.

Other critics point out the initiative gives priority to the excessive creation of courts, leading to an unjustified increase in public spending.

According to Argentine President Alberto Fernández, the project aims to "consolidate an independent justice system" that will succeed in reversing "the crisis" of credibility affecting federal jurisdiction.

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