Top view of a modern legislative chamber with several people seated at curved desks and Argentine flags in the background — It had been 40 years since a minister had attended a legislative vote | La Derecha Diario

Camara — It had been 40 years since a minister had attended a legislative vote | La Derecha Diario

Córdoba: Minister López will have to explain the water rate increases in the Legislature

The official has 14 days to attend the venue and provide details about the increases in the service

04/09/2025 21:51:00h

Editorial Team

The opposition celebrated the summons as a historic event: it had been 40 years since a minister had been compelled to appear by legislative vote. This event is presented as an unprecedented summons in the Legislature.

The Córdoba Legislature approved on Thursday the bill promoted by legislator Gregorio Hernández Maqueda. The initiative requires the Minister of Infrastructure and Public Services, Fabián López, to appear within 14 days to explain the increases in the rates of Aguas Cordobesas.

The request was endorsed with opposition votes and the absence of some Justicialist legislators, which prevented the ruling party from blocking the initiative. The opposition emphasized that it has been four decades since a minister was formally summoned to provide explanations in the Unicameral. "It has been 40 years since a minister has been compelled to appear with the approval of the Legislature," an opposition member highlighted after the vote.

Gray-bearded man in a suit and tie standing outdoors with a blue sky in the background

The initiative requires the Minister of Infrastructure and Public Services, Fabián López, to appear within 14 days to explain the increases in the Aguas Cordobesas tariff | La Derecha Diario

Increases above inflation

According to Hernández Maqueda, the increases applied by the Public Services Regulatory Entity (ERSEP) exceeded the recorded inflation levels.

Between 2024 and 2025, the increases were 19.1% in February, 12.3% in May, 14.08% in September, 11.51% in August, and 10.46% in March. This excessive increase had a significant impact on Córdoba households.

"It is time to make transparent how the rates are determined, under what criteria Ersep approves each increase, and what responsibility the Roggio Group, the service concessionaire, assumes," the legislator added.

Line chart showing the year-over-year evolution of inflation, the official dollar, the informal dollar, and wages over the past three years in Argentina, with marked peaks and drops in each variable.

Between 2024 and 2025, the increases were 19.1% in February, 12.3% in May, 14.08% in September, 11.51% in August, and 10.46% in March | La Derecha Diario

A blow to the ruling party during the campaign

PJ unsuccessfully tried to have the request turned into a simple written report. However, the absences of legislators Nadia Fernández and Ricardo Sosa complicated the ruling party's strategy.

With the summons approved, Minister López will have to appear in the chamber. With his participation, the aim is for him to provide details about the rate criteria, the control measures of his ministry, and the state of the service, considered essential for all families.

The opposition celebrated the measure as a precedent in the pursuit of greater transparency and legislative oversight of public services in Córdoba.

Modern building with a white vertical slat facade and two flags waving in the foreground under a blue sky

Córdoba's Legislature approved the bill promoted by legislator Gregorio Hernández Maqueda this Thursday | La Derecha Diario

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