Politician who punched her rival during debate comes out fighting

A lawmaker in Argentina apparently has taken the phrase "bare-knuckle politics" to heart. A budget spat erupted into fisticuffs on Wednesday when opposition legislator Graciela Camano punched fellow lawmaker Carlos Kunkel in the mouth.

Two television news channels broadcast the melee live as Ms Camano got out of her chair to confront Mr Kunkel during a session of the Upper House's constitutional affairs commission.

The two exchanged words, Kunkel gestured with his arms and Ms Camano hit him then left the chamber. "Under no circumstances will I allow Kunkel or anyone else to lack respect," Ms Camano said later. "He wore me out because I have been putting up with him all year long. He kept shouting without making a single proposal." She declined to reveal what Mr Kunkel said, but added: "He is always attacking me."

Mr Kunkel, a close ally of President Cristina Fernandez, did not immediately comment. Under congressional rules, he can file a complaint that could lead to possible sanctions against Ms Camano.

Congress has been especially tense recently, with opposition lawmakers saying the Fernandez government is exerting tremendous pressure on them to vote for the 2011 budget.