They called for a federal march on the day the Chamber of Deputies addresses the presidential veto.

The president of the National Interuniversity Council (CIN), Oscar Alpa, and the vice president of the organization and rector of the UNR, Franco Bartolacci, along with the rector of the University of Buenos Aires, Ricardo Gelpi, held a press conference in Buenos Aires following the presidential veto of the University Financing Law. The university leaders warned of the seriousness of the situation and requested the support of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate to ensure that this legislation goes into effect.

The University Financing Law had recently been approved by the National Congress with broad consensus and established a budget update mechanism to guarantee the functioning of public universities throughout the country. The Executive Branch's veto halts this initiative, generating uncertainty in the university system regarding the continuity of its academic, scientific, and outreach activities.

The rectors, representing the entire National University System, emphasized that the decision directly impacts teaching and research projects, as well as the study and working conditions of students, faculty, and non-teaching staff. In this context, they reiterated their commitment to defending free, high-quality public universities.

Franco Bartolacci warned that public universities are facing a critical situation throughout the country and expressed his deep concern about the current situation. He noted that there was an expectation that the Executive Branch would reconsider and enact a "reasonable and responsible" law that addressed the most pressing problems of the university system and that the President had the opportunity to correct errors by endorsing a law that required an investment of 0,14% of GDP, an "absolutely marginal" amount that did not compromise state finances and guaranteed the minimum conditions for institutions to operate normally until the end of the year. "That did not happen, and we urgently need the National Congress to uphold this law when it addresses the veto," he emphasized.

"We are going to work from now until the session in each of the country's provinces, rectors and rectors, to raise awareness among national legislators about the importance of this happening in the Chamber of Deputies. We are going to do our best to talk with Argentine society about the need for this to be prioritized and safeguarded. We are going to warn, as we have been doing very responsibly for two years because we didn't want to reach this situation, that we need the university financing law to be upheld to solve current and past problems by updating the budget and salaries in line with recorded inflation. We also need the National Congress to approve a budget that establishes predictability parameters that avoid discretionary power for 2026. All the problems we are facing stem from having a prorogued budget for the second consecutive year, and it must be said given the seriousness of the situation. If we go another year in the same situation, it will be difficult for the Argentine Public University to continue operating. We didn't want to reach this point, but here we are: We will work to convince deputies and senators to overrule the veto. It must be said with all due seriousness: the functioning of the national public university system is at risk without a University Financing Law and without a 2026 National Budget," explained the CIN Vice President.

Alpa warned that "this is not a new situation, but rather we've been talking about this issue for two years," and described it as a very serious matter for the country. "The national budget funds university autonomy and is what makes it possible for the National Universities to operate. The veto itself recognized that there is a 40 percent salary gap; this reality means that teachers and non-teaching staff are resigning from universities, and we are losing professionals at the scientific and educational level who are very important to the present and future of our country. If we continue down this path, there is no future for the university or the country," and added: "The law does not delay any fiscal issues or present any deficit, as was attempted to be established; it is a responsible measure. When the Chamber of Deputies is in session, we will hold a federal march to obtain the two-thirds vote necessary to support the law and reject the veto. We appeal to the conscience of each and every one of the deputies, who represent the Argentine people."

For his part, the rector of the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) confirmed that the lack of funding has been crippling the system and that the situation is truly unsustainable. “If there is no real change, public universities will not be able to operate in the short term. We have reduced operating expenses like never before; we have made every effort to sustain the situation, but it is very complicated. As we have previously stated, public universities are a source of pride for Argentina and are recognized worldwide. Therefore, we appeal to the sensitivity of legislators to reject the presidential veto and uphold the University Financing Law. Without education, without health, and without science, there is no development possible.”

In addition, Alpa, Bartolacci, and Gelpi expressed their discontent with the veto of the Pediatric Emergency Law and emphasized that they would meet with the authorities and staff of Garrahan Hospital this Thursday afternoon. "Education and public health are fundamental pillars of Argentina; they are two aspects valued internationally, and they are enshrined rights that we will defend," commented Franco Bartolacci.