A disagreement over the budget has erupted into violence in the Argentinian parliament with opposition legislator Graciela Camano slapping fellow lawmaker Carlos Kunkel in the face.
Camano got out of her chair to confront Kunkel during a session of the Upper House's constitutional affairs commission, in the capital Buenos Aires.
The two exchanged words, Kunkel gestured with his arms and then Camano slapped him before leaving the chamber.
"Under no circumstances will I allow Kunkel or anyone else to lack respect," 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 Kunkel had said, but added: "He is always attacking me."
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 Camano.
Congress has been especially tense recently, with opposition lawmakers saying Fernandez's government is exerting tremendous pressure on them to vote for the 2011 budget.
