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Milei and Macri Rekindle Alliance Amidst Governability Challenges and Campaign Push

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Key Takeaways

  • President Javier Milei and former President Mauricio Macri have re-established direct communication after a year-long silence, signaling a renewed political alignment.

  • The rapprochement is driven by Milei’s need to secure governability and legislative support for crucial economic and structural reforms, facing significant opposition in Congress and international pressure.

  • Despite recent internal tensions within their allied forces, both leaders appear committed to collaboration, with a focus on upcoming elections and a shared agenda for Argentina’s future direction.

President Javier Milei has resumed direct contact with former President Mauricio Macri, leader of the PRO party, ending nearly a year of personal silence between the two prominent Argentine political figures. The move, confirmed over the past weekend, is seen as a strategic effort to strengthen the Milei administration’s governability and consolidate support ahead of the critical October 26 general elections. The initial contact was made via WhatsApp, with Milei thanking Macri for recent supportive public remarks.

The relationship between Milei and Macri had been fluid during the early days of the libertarian government, characterized by frequent meetings at the Olivos presidential residence. However, this close rapport gradually diminished, leading to a year-long hiatus in direct communication. Macri himself publicly acknowledged the distance just last week, stating, “I haven’t spoken to or seen him for over a year, but I’m always available to help this country find its way.” Despite the personal gap, the PRO party has largely remained an ally, albeit with occasional internal disagreements, and recently solidified an electoral alliance with Milei’s La Libertad Avanza (LLA) for the upcoming polls.

The renewed dialogue comes at a pivotal moment for Milei’s administration. Fresh from a visit to the United States, President Milei returned with a clear directive from Washington: secure governability. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reportedly told Minister of Economy Luis Caputo, “Work on governability.” This external pressure underscores the internal challenges Milei faces in implementing his ambitious reform agenda.

Domestically, Milei’s government has struggled to push through legislation in a fragmented Congress. Over the past month, the opposition, led by Kirchnerism, has successfully rejected presidential vetoes on key laws concerning university funding and disability emergency, showcasing the administration’s diminished legislative power. Further legislative battles loom, with Peronist blocs seeking to modify federal co-participation funds (ATNs) and introduce changes to the use of Decrees of Necessity and Urgency (DNUs) – measures strongly opposed by the Casa Rosada.

To counter these legislative headwinds and advance his agenda, including the 2026 Budget, as well as crucial labor and tax reforms, Milei critically needs the support of provincial governments and allied political forces, especially the PRO. Cabinet Chief Guillermo Francos, increasingly entrusted with political negotiations, has been instrumental in facilitating this rapprochement, notably appearing alongside Macri at a diplomatic event shortly before the direct contact was restored. Francos is also leading the “Consejo de Mayo,” a multi-sectoral council aimed at garnering consensus for these reforms, where PRO’s parliamentary leader, Cristian Ritondo, plays a significant role.

While the PRO has generally aligned with LLA, recent frictions highlight the complexities of their partnership. One point of contention arose when LLA deputies criticized PRO’s María Sotolano for supporting a judicial nominee close to a political adversary, Governor Axel Kicillof. Another source of “malestar amarillo” (PRO’s discontent) emerged when the executive’s 2026 budget draft failed to include the 1.55% federal co-participation funds for the City of Buenos Aires, a traditional PRO stronghold, despite a Supreme Court ruling. Despite these disagreements, Macri’s recent public statements—such as “I don’t want the Government to fail” and “Never been one of those who believed ‘the worse, the better’”—indicated a pragmatic willingness to support the government’s stability, particularly during recent economic uncertainties.

The re-established contact opens the door for a potential personal meeting between Milei and Macri, with sources from the Casa Rosada suggesting it’s “at some point it will happen.” Discussions are reportedly already underway regarding “how to advance structural reforms for 2026,” signaling a long-term strategic collaboration. Milei, meanwhile, continues his country-wide campaign trail, aiming to bolster LLA’s representation in Congress in the upcoming October elections, further underscoring the political imperative behind this renewed alliance.

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