Key Takeaways
- The recently formed political alliance between La Libertad Avanza (LLA) and PRO in Buenos Aires Province is experiencing significant strain and last-minute negotiations over candidate lists for upcoming elections.
- Several PRO mayors are defecting from the coalition, citing dissatisfaction with the allocation of candidacies, particularly concerning municipal council seats, which highlights the fragility of the new political alignment.
- Karina Milei, sister of President Javier Milei and Secretary-General of the Presidency, is exerting decisive influence over the final list closures, navigating complex internal party dynamics and external pressures.
As the deadline for candidate list submissions in Buenos Aires Province looms, the officialist alliance between President Javier Milei’s La Libertad Avanza (LLA) and Mauricio Macri’s PRO is grappling with intense, last-minute negotiations marked by significant internal strife and high-profile defections. The frantic race to define candidates for the province’s eight electoral sections and, more critically, for local municipal councils, underscores the challenges facing the new government’s attempt to consolidate power in Argentina’s largest and most politically crucial province.
The most significant friction stems from LLA’s assertive demands regarding candidate allocation, leading to a palpable sense of discontent among PRO mayors. The original agreement, which promised PRO 25% of municipal council seats in districts not governed by LLA and 75% in LLA-governed areas, has reportedly not been upheld. This has prompted at least two mayors to break away, with four more reportedly on the brink of doing so. Pablo Petrecca of Junín and María José Gentile of 9 de Julio, both aligned with Jorge Macri, have joined the “Somos Buenos Aires” front, a coalition involving radicals, dissident Peronists, and Emilio Monzó. Similarly, Javier Martínez of Pergamino defected to the “Hechos” coalition, while Diego Reyes of Puan and Lisandro Matzkin of Coronel Pringles are also considering their departure.
The defections highlight the LLA’s aggressive strategy to maximize its presence, even at the cost of alienating potential allies. An experienced PRO negotiator lamented, “We were for the first time on the defensive in a negotiation. We always held the upper hand. We debated with 5 points against people who have a little stamp that’s worth 30.” This sentiment reflects the power shift within the right-leaning political spectrum in Argentina following Milei’s presidential victory.
Amidst these tensions, negotiations for top positions in the electoral sections are ongoing. Diego Valenzuela, the current mayor of Tres de Febrero, is slated to head the LLA list for senator in the First Section, with his wife, Daniela Reich, potentially running for first councilor. In the Fifth Section, Guillermo Montenegro is expected to be the senatorial candidate. Perhaps most notably, Francisco Adorni, brother of the presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni, is rumored to lead the Eighth Section list, which includes La Plata. Below him, two key figures vying for local deputy positions are Juan Osaba, a close aide to Karina Milei’s chief delegate in the province, Sebastián Pareja, and Juan Pablo Allan, an ally of Patricia Bullrich.
All eyes are also on the Third Section, a traditional stronghold of Peronism and Kirchnerism, where LLA and PRO concede they face an uphill battle. Sebastián Pareja and Cult Secretary Nahuel Sotelo are contesting the deputy candidacy in this challenging region. Despite earlier speculation, young figures like “tiktokers” Iñaki Gutiérrez and Miriam Niveyro have lost traction. However, last-minute whispers suggest a “surprise candidate” (‘un tapado’) might emerge to challenge Vice Governor Verónica Magario.
Adding another layer of complexity, Karina Milei, the President’s influential sister, is closely supervising the list closures. She met with Pareja and Lule Menem this week, signaling her direct involvement in the final decisions. Her oversight comes amidst reports of internal tensions within LLA between her sector and those aligned with Santiago Caputo and Agustín Romo, who have been excluded from the negotiation table. This centralizes power within the President’s inner circle but also adds “more voltage to a dense closure,” compounded by lingering allegations of corruption and distrust within the Milei administration.
The intricate dance of alliances and candidacies in Buenos Aires Province is not just about securing votes; it’s a critical test for La Libertad Avanza’s ability to forge and maintain political partnerships. The outcomes of these last-minute deals will shape the legislative landscape and the distribution of power at the local level, setting the stage for the next phase of Milei’s ambitious reform agenda.