Kicillof construye un frente electoral para enfrentar a Milei con 35 intendentes que le pidieron desdoblar las elecciones

The governor of Buenos Aires province, Axel Kicillof, gathered 35 Buenos Aires mayors in Villa Gesell to discuss the potential decoupling of legislative elections and to advance the construction of a “broad” political force to confront the government of Javier Milei.

During the meeting, which took place at the Intersur Hotel in the seaside city, various political and economic strategies for the electoral year were discussed, as well as the impact of national policies on the Buenos Aires territory.

The provincial Minister of Government, Carlos Bianco, confirmed that the meeting was held at the request of the mayors, who wanted to express their support for the provincial administration and discuss political strategies for the new electoral year.

The trusted official of Kicillof emphasized that the meeting focused on the formation of a broad political front that aims to “defend the people of Buenos Aires from the very aggressive policies being implemented by President Milei, which particularly affect the province.”

In this regard, he invited “all those who share the fundamental principles guiding the leadership of the Province of Buenos Aires to participate: strengthen democracy, uphold human rights, defend sovereignty, enhance public education and health, and promote industrial production in sectors that create formal and genuine employment.”

A key topic discussed was the possibility of separating the Buenos Aires legislative elections from the national ones, and although sources close to the governor stated that the discussion is still open, Bianco acknowledged that “everyone who spoke was in favor of the idea of a separation.” This option is rejected by Cristina Kirchner, and a move in that direction could worsen the internal conflict within the PJ.

Nonetheless, the PBA Minister of Government clarified that the national electoral scenario is yet to be defined: “Axel explained that no decision can be made until we know what will happen with the national PASO,” provincial sources added.

In addition to electoral analysis, other relevant topics were discussed at the meeting, such as the budget and available resources, the necessity to “highlight management” at both provincial and municipal levels, and the projects and funding needed to respond to society in a complex economic context.

In the same radio interview, Bianco also voiced his concerns about what he perceives as a “backslide into authoritarianism and violence” from the libertarian government. “This is something we are observing with great concern. Recently, it was reported that Santiago Caputo commissioned a survey to gauge public opinion on the acceptance of an authoritarian government. It is troubling that the President’s closest advisor is testing the waters to see if Argentinians would accept a dictatorship,” warned the provincial official.

In this context, the PBA minister linked this trend to a global phenomenon and compared Milei to Donald Trump: “I believe that democracy as we know it is truly at risk, and this is not only a problem for Argentina. There is an authoritarian drift occurring globally, likely being propelled by Trump, with echoes in various parts of Europe and the world, including Argentina.”

The minister mockingly referred to some national government measures and suggested that Milei is trying to emulate his American counterpart with lesser impacts: “Trump sends the army to the border with Mexico, where he aims to build a wall, while Milei, in a tone of farce, puts up a 200-meter fence in Bolivia… They are second-rate replicas of a peripheral, colonial, subpar government.”

The meeting between Kicillof and the municipal leaders in Villa Gesell was attended by various provincial officials, including Vice Governor Verónica Magario; Minister of Infrastructure Gabriel Katopodis; Minister of Economy Pablo López; Minister of Community Development Andrés Larroque; Minister of Security Javier Alonso; Minister of Habitat and Urban Development Silvina Batakis; and Minister of Women and Diversity Estela Díaz.

From the municipalities, 35 mayors from different localities attended, including Germán Lago (Alberti), Jorge Ferraresi (Avellaneda), Julio Marini (Benito Juárez), Fabián Cagliardi (Berisso), Sergio Barenghi (Bragado), Daniel Stadnik (Carlos Casares), Francisco Echarren (Castelli), Ricardo Moccero (Coronel Suárez), and Rodrigo Aristimuño (Coronel Rosales). Also present were Mario Secco (Ensenada), Diego Nanni (Exaltación de la Cruz), Andrés Watson (Florencio Varela), Fernando Espinoza (La Matanza), Julio Alak (La Plata), Federico Achával (Pilar), and Gustavo Barrera (Villa Gesell), who hosted the meeting.