Buenos Aires mayors push to modify the law that limits indefinite reelection

The debate over the law that restricted re-election of mayors, legislators, councilors and school counselors In the province of Buenos Aires he returned to the center of the political scene. The thing is that, with the negotiations for the 2025 Budget and the Tax Law as a backdrop, a large group of community leaders seeks to reform or even annul the law passed in 2016.

The norm was sanctioned in 2016, during the government of María Eugenia Vidal, based on a proposal from the Renewal Frontand determined that communal leaders could only renew their mandates once.

However, in 2021 a change was introduced that allowed many mayors to be authorized to run again in 2023 after requesting a license before completing two years in office. Now, looking to 2027, The rule affects more than 80 community leaders who are going through their second term, most of them from Peronism and radicalism.

From the Buenos Aires government they stated that the governor Axel Kicillof agrees that the law be modified, but they clarified that it will not be a project that is promoted by the Executive Branch. “Axel understands that it is a problem that must be solved, but it is something that the Legislature must solve,” the cabinet stated. Scope.

The Buenos Aires Government Minister, Carlos Bianco, spoke along these lines yesterday, when at a press conference he stated: “If any project or initiative is presented, it will have to be discussed where it belongs, which is in the Legislature, because today there are “an existing law that limits terms of office to two terms.”

A debate that divides the legislative blocks

While the Peronist mayors weave alliances with sectors of the PRO and radicalism that share similar interests, internal tensions complicate agreements. Massismo, which integrates the block of Union for the Homeland In both the Senate and Deputies, he maintains his position against any modification.

In the PRO, led in the province by Cristian Ritondothe rejection is categorical. In a statement, they indicated yesterday that allowing indefinite re-election “represents an institutional setback and attacks democratic quality”.

Meanwhile, the Radical Civic Union faces internal divisions. Mayors like Miguel Lunghi, from Tandil, and Osvaldo Di Napoli, from General Belgranoexpress interest in a reform, while some sectors are more reticent, fearing giving a political flank to the national government or the libertarian opposition.

From the block Union Renewal and Faiththose whom they call “dialogue libertarians”, the rejection is also clear. They described the discussion as “a mockery of citizens,” and accused the ruling party and sectors of the opposition of trying to perpetuate privileges in a context of crisis.

Strategies and alternatives

In statements to Ámbito, Fabián Cagliardi, mayor of Berissoraised the possibility of going to the Supreme Court to challenge the law. “We must remove this limit that was placed on the elections of mayors. I am convinced that it is unconstitutional because the Magna Carta of the province of Buenos Aires Nowhere does it say that mayors cannot be elected. And the Constitution is above any law,” he explained.

He stated: “A judicial measure must be taken, presented to the Supreme Court directly or it must be worked on in the Legislature. It is an outrage, a shame, what the former governor María Eugenia Vidal regarding that.”

The possibility of modifying the law not only faces political resistance, but also the challenge of coordinating legislative times in a complex scenario. The debate is not limited to the re-elections, but is part of a broader package that includes the possible suspension of the PASO and the electoral split. For now, the outcome is uncertain, but the impact of this discussion will have repercussions beyond the legislative sphere.