Javier Milei advances against Buenos Aires mayors of the PRO to expand its territorial base

This Monday the PRO harshly criticized the Government for the exclusion of the 2025 Budget from the agenda of extraordinary sessions, accusing it of maintaining an “authoritarian vision” that limits democratic debate. Although Macri’s party applauded the inclusion of the Clean Sheet On the agenda, he regretted the lack of discussion on the Budget, and emphasized that this tool is essential to promote consensus and economic planning. This situation generated a new chapter in the relationship between Macrism and libertarianism after days of short circuits and tensions.

In the midst of this panorama, the Milei shipowners They maintain a seduction operation to incorporate new political allies, regardless of the outcome of the negotiations between Macri and Milei. Their target is several leaders of the PRO and other parties who could lean towards the libertarian ranks, attracted by an offer of a “blank slate” and the promise of absolute loyalty as a bargaining chip. In that sense, the Buenos Aires representative of LLA clarified today, Sebastian Parejathat “the idea is not to have old-fashioned electoral alliances” given that this “no longer exists” and they emphasize that “if there are figures who come from other political spaces and add, they are welcome”, as long as they fit “with the ideas of the President”.

An example of this movement is the resignation of the senator Luis Judge to the presidency of the PRO bloc in the Senate to announce his desire to compete under the wing of La Libertad Avanza (LLA) in Córdoba. This decision was celebrated at Balcarce 50, where they see in Judge a leader with great affinity towards the libertarian project.

But Judge is not an isolated case. PRO mayors in the province of Buenos Aires also show signs of rapprochement: Guillermo Montenegro (Mar del Plata) and Santiago Passaglia (San Nicolás) are those who are most inclined towards a common path with the Casa Rosada. Both manage relevant districts of the province, which makes them strategic objectives for the ruling party.

The same way Diego Valenzuela (Tres de Febrero), who reports politically to the Minister of Security, Patricia Bullrich and has distanced herself from the PRO for some time, also emerges as a key ally in this game of alliances. He has long been in favor of the merger with LLA. “We, those of the PRO and JxC, want change, an economic reform that provides freedoms and space for private activity, we want institutional functioning, we do not want populism. As Macri was the leader of change in 2015, now Milei is. It is what the people voted for,” he emphasized yesterday and analyzed that “it is logical to unite these two forces of change for 2025 and 2027.”

Another Macri mayor who showed signs towards an agreement is Ramon Lanus (San Isidro): added several management photos with the Ministers of Economy, Luis Caputo; of Modernization of the State, Federico Sturzenegger, and of Security, Patricia Bullrich, which were also interpreted as a political approach to the Government.

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The search for mayors goes beyond the PRO. From LLA they held conversations with radical leaders and from other spaces, such as the communal chief of Veinticinco de Mayo, Ramiro Eguen. The latter, belonging to the GEN, met repeatedly with libertarian leaders, such as Sebastian Parejamain outfitter of the party in the province. Although Eguen points out that his priority is to obtain funds for works in his district, the meetings sparked rumors about an eventual move to the Milei space.

Those who depend on what their bosses do

In this context of negotiations, the deputy Diego Santilli He seeks to be the candidate of consensus among the violets and yellows in Buenos Aires territory. In fact, facing the next elections, he once again asked for an electoral agreement between both forces “to beat Kirchnerism in the province of Buenos Aires.” The experience of 2023, where 15 mayoralties were lost due to being divided, resonates strongly in his speech. What the communal leaders who respond to him politically will depend on the realization of that alliance: Javier Martínez (Parchment), Lisandro Matzkin (Colonel Pringles), Sebastian Abella (Bell) and Diego Reyes (Puán).

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Diego Santilli

Although the various sectors that make up the PRO admit that the merger with LLA is natural, they also emphasize the need to preserve their identity. In that group are those who respond directly to Mauricio Macri: Pablo Petrecca (Junin), Soledad Martinez (Vicente López), Juan Ibarguren (Pinamar), Fernanda Astorino (Captain Sarmiento) and María José Gentile (July Nine). They are the ones who will wait for signals from their boss to decide future actions.

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@CristianRitondo

Likewise, the Macrista mayors Marcelo Matzkin (Zárate), Jorge Etcheverry (Wolves) and Fernando Bouvier (Arrecifes) will position themselves according to what the deputy and head of the PRO decides, Cristian Ritondoan appreciated leader in Milei’s ranks.

Within radicalism there is also movement. Leaders like Luis Petri and the so-called “wig radicals” have already taken the leap, and other legislators of the centenary party are evaluating the possibility of following the same path.

Despite the questions, the Casa Rosada assures that any leader who joins must fully commit to the libertarian project. For Milei and her close circle, loyalty is a non-negotiable condition.

The possibility of adding mayors and leaders from other spaces responds to a broader strategy of La Libertad Avanza to consolidate its territorial power and prepare the ground for the next elections. In this context, The nod of the mayors towards the libertarian ruling party not only redefines alliances, but also marks a change in power dynamics. It remains to be seen if these approaches will translate into new incorporations or if they will remain as simple attempts on a political board in constant mutation.