The Tucumán national deputy Mariano Campero is in the eye of the storm due to the decision of the National Ethics Court of the Radical Civic Union (UCR) to expel him, along with his peers Martín Alfredo Arjol, from Misiones, and Luis Albino Picat, from Córdoba, due to its closeness to the management of President Javier Milei. Interviewed by Ámbito, far from being intimidated by the measure, he indicated that he is analyzing judicializing it and moving forward in the creation of a new Together for Change that has as its seal support for the Government.
Journalist: How do you analyze your party’s decision to expel you?
Mariano Campero: It is related to the dispute against Martin Lousteau (national senator and president of the UCR), who made a mistake and distanced radicalism from the leading role it should have at this historical moment for the country, they prefer to put a spanner in the works. For me it is like a reward that these people want to separate us, especially coming from those who prefer internal conflict and alliances with Kirchnerism. We gave President Milei the tools to carry out an economic plan that balances public accounts and transforms the country. In any case, I am considering going to court to challenge the expulsion.
Q: Why do you think such a drastic decision was made?
MC: It’s simple. There is a sector that wants the Government to do well and we support it, some are in the middle and there is another space that wants it to do poorly, which is Lousteau. We, when I say we, I am talking about the league of deputies who are from the interior, we understand that there are a large number of citizens who voted for the change, for everything that is being done. That is why we adopt positions that are questioned but about which we have convictions. That even allowed us to even have a national projection to compete for spaces with our friend Lousteau, who does not represent a good door of radicalism.
Q: What happens to partisan identities in that scenario?
MC: No party is exempt from these debates because there is an identity crisis in the majority forces. We accompany the Government but that does not mean that our identities are diluted, on the contrary, we are radicals who agree with national decisions that are being made.
Q: 2025 will be an electoral year, do you plan to participate from the UCR or with your own party, Cambia Tucumán?
PM: I believe that my strength can be a spearhead to launch a movement that accompanies the Government electorally. There I see myself more than disputing a radical internal. And that is why we are evaluating the creation of a “Together for Change” space, to accompany the Government, both at the national and provincial level, we are discussing it among several leaders. I think that today Argentina is between all or nothing, two very marked poles. One is Milei and the other is Cristina, in the elections there will be nothing in between.
Q: Is it possible that you join La Libertad Avanza?
MC: No no. It’s impossible.
Q: How do you analyze the management of Governor Osvaldo Jaldo, identified with that of President Milei?
MC: From the discursive point of view it is very good, but in actions it is very bad, it is lacking. That is, it lacks transparency and that is why it does not advance political reform. For example, it will not eliminate the coupling system for elections, which did so much damage to Tucumán politics. There is a big difference between what he says and what he does.
Q: Do you agree with eliminating Simultaneous and Mandatory Open Primaries (PASO)?
MC: They have to fall into this context of social crisis, they can be suspended, instead of eliminated. And then, at some point when Argentina is doing well economically, they can return. I think it’s that way.
Q: How would you define your role, in the face of so much internal criticism?
MC: My key role today is the defense of democracy, of the institutions and of letting govern so that things go well for a President who does not have a parliamentary majority, who has very few deputies and whom we support. I think that accompanying him also has a moral value because it is what the country needs. It is a rule that every time a president who is not a Peronist takes office, they seek to overturn him from day one. Today, to the surprise of many, Milei is achieving economic objectives that no one expected and that is good for all Argentines.
Q: Do you want to be a candidate for governor of Tucumán in 2027?
MC: I have the honor of being a national representative but before becoming one I fulfilled my dream of being mayor of Yerba Buena, my city. I dream of being governor, I would love to but I know that today it is very difficult. But just as I dreamed of being a mayor when I was a teenager and I achieved it, who knows, dreams are there to come true. I wish that Tucumán would once again be the vanguard of northern Argentina.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
