Buenos Aires Mayor’s Election Gambit amidst Macri-Milei Alliance Talks

Amidst ongoing negotiations and public disagreements between former President Mauricio Macri and libertarian leader Javier Milei regarding a potential political alliance, Buenos aires Mayor Jorge Macri is making a bold move to solidify his position. He plans to separate teh city’s elections from the upcoming national legislative races, a decision seen by many as a strategic counter-maneuver to the uncertainty surrounding the national political landscape.

Next Friday, Mayor Macri will formally announce his intention to hold separate city elections and introduce legislation to the Buenos Aires Legislature to suspend the city’s primary elections (PASO). This decision comes after several public clashes between Macri and Milei, leaving the future of their potential alliance uncertain.

“There is hardly an agreement between Pro and La Libertad Avanza in the city. That’s why we decided to go out on the field. Until now we were the hostages. We cannot depend on whether or not Mauricio eats Milanese with Milei and fixes it.“We are going to defend the city.”

This quote, from sources within the Buenos Aires Executive Branch, highlights the perceived vulnerability of the Pro party in the face of milei’s growing influence and the uncertainty surrounding the Macri-Milei alliance. The move to decouple the elections is seen as an attempt to regain political control and secure the city’s support base.

While the exact date hasn’t been finalized, it’s anticipated that the Buenos Aires mayoral election could be held in early July, before the winter holidays. This accelerated timeline further underscores the urgency of Mayor Macri’s strategy.

Securing passage of the legislation to suspend the PASO will require a special majority of 40 votes in the legislature. This necessitates negotiations with various political factions, including Peronist representatives, libertarians led by Ramiro Marra, and the La Libertad avanza bloc headed by Karina Milei. The latter group, according to Pilar Ramirez, expressed reservations about Mayor Macri’s plan in a recent interview with La Nación, describing the situation as having a “strange whiff” about it.

Mayor Macri’s advisors emphasize the need to address city-specific issues and reinforce Buenos Aires’ autonomy, arguing that the city’s agenda shouldn’t be overshadowed by national political maneuvering and the ongoing discussions between macri and Milei about a potential alliance. The situation remains fluid, with the outcome of the legislative vote and the ultimate impact on the national political landscape yet to be seen.

Buenos Aires Mayor’s Power Play: A Bid to Eliminate Primaries

Buenos aires Mayor Jorge Macri is making a bold political move, pushing to eliminate the city’s primary elections (PASO). This strategic maneuver comes amidst a rising tide of libertarian influence,spearheaded by Karina Milei,who poses a significant challenge to Macri’s power base within the PRO party.

Macri’s strategy is viewed as defensive. Facing an open challenge from Milei and her loyalists,who aim to build a separate political force by 2027,Macri seeks to consolidate his control within the PRO party and ensure stable governance in 2026. Securing additional legislative seats is crucial for Macri, given the fragmented political landscape that makes passing legislation increasingly tough. this was evident two weeks ago during the contentious passage of the city’s budget and new Urban Planning Code.

“We want to unfold to beat the libertarians and defend the city,” stated officials within Macri’s administration, responding to suspicions raised by Ramírez, Milei’s key operative in Buenos Aires, regarding Macri’s political maneuvering. The elimination of primaries is seen as a key element of this strategy.

Macri’s team anticipates securing enough votes to pass the initiative before March 1st. They believe they can garner support from a member of the Unión por la Patria (Peronist party) to reach the necessary two-thirds majority. “We are at 38 or 39 votes,” they estimate.

With the PRO party and it’s allies needing to renew approximately eleven or twelve legislative seats, Macri’s team faces a complex task in assembling a unified electoral list. They project that securing 35% of the vote would guarantee the renewal of these seats. “We are going to have to make a good choice,” they acknowledge.

Macri’s push to eliminate primaries is viewed by some as a preemptive strike against a potential spillover effect from the national election. Libertarians believe Macri fears that a strong national showing by Milei could weaken his legislative power base. This mirrors Milei’s own national-level strategy, were a proposed political reform was stalled after threats of unusual elections. As previously reported, Ramírez had already proposed eliminating the primaries, further highlighting the strategic importance of this move.

The situation in buenos Aires offers a captivating case study in the evolving political landscape of Argentina, with implications for the future of the country’s governance and the growing influence of libertarian ideologies.

Buenos Aires Mayor’s Reform Plans Face Stiff Opposition

Buenos Aires Mayor Jorge Macri is facing a significant political challenge as he pushes forward with ambitious plans to restructure the city’s government. His proposals, which could include constitutional reform and the elimination of primaries, have sparked considerable opposition within the city’s legislature and raised questions about his own political future.

Macri’s inner circle argues that eliminating primaries would save taxpayer money and simplify the electoral process, reducing the number of elections to less than three per year.”It is an election for Buenos Aires legislators; it’s a one-shot deal,” they justify. However, this argument hasn’t swayed critics.

The mayor is currently finalizing details of a broader state restructuring plan, which may involve merging public entities or eliminating what he considers oversized government departments. A tax reform is also under consideration. The scope of the reform remains unclear, with the possibility of a full-scale constitutional amendment still on the table. Macri is expected to outline the key elements of this project next friday.

However, significant hurdles lie ahead. If Macri decides to eliminate the sole public services regulator or alter the commune organizational structure, a constitutional amendment would be necessary. This requires a two-thirds majority (40 votes) in the legislature. With opposition already voiced by key figures like Manuela Thourte (Buenos Aires UCR), Graciela Ocaña (Public Trust), and Facundo del Gaiso (Civic Coalition), securing this support appears unlikely.

Opposition figures suspect Macri is using the reform as a pretext to position himself as a conventional candidate. While sources within Macri’s camp downplay this possibility,stating, “They are cooling down,becuase we could lose in the Legislature. Neither Peronism nor radicalism want to change the status quo in the city,” the political maneuvering remains a key point of contention.

Adding another layer of complexity is Macri’s relationship with his cousin,former President Mauricio Macri,and the latter’s volatile alliance with libertarian presidential candidate Javier Milei. Jorge Macri reportedly prefers to maintain a degree of autonomy, stating, “He does not take his feet off the plate and is aligned with Mauricio and the party, but the city cannot be the spoils of war. The national fight or whether there are Milanese or not makes the discussion in the Capital dirty.” He is reportedly pushing for Mauricio Macri to run for national senator.

Meanwhile, Karina Milei, sister of Javier Milei, recently led a political event in a traditionally pro-government stronghold, further highlighting the shifting political landscape in Argentina and its potential impact on the upcoming elections.

Buenos Aires Mayor Macri Reasserts PRO’s Independence Amidst political Upheaval

Buenos Aires city Mayor Jorge Macri is navigating a turbulent political landscape, firmly pushing back against suggestions that his party, PRO (Republican Proposal), is merging with the libertarian movement led by Javier Milei. Macri’s recent actions, including a key appointment and strong public statements, underscore his determination to maintain PRO’s distinct identity ahead of the 2027 elections.

Addressing PRO militants at the Belgrano Auditorium, Macri marked his first year in office.While acknowledging a willingness to cooperate with the national government, he emphasized setting “limits.” He directly challenged Milei’s growing influence, stating, “Some think that they stole our flags and they want to put us in the place of caste.”

Macri’s message was clear: PRO remains a viable force. “PRO is alive and kicking,” he declared,dismissing concerns about the party being absorbed by milei’s growing popularity. However, the underlying tension is palpable. Sources close to Macri admit to concerns about the party’s future, especially given Milei’s reported appeal to PRO’s conventional voter base.

In a significant internal move, Macri prioritized the city’s interests over national political maneuvering.He asserted, “This City is not a bargaining chip nor the spoils of war of a national political agreement. They voted for me to defend it and I am going to defend it with my flag from the PRO.” This statement highlights the ongoing tension between Macri and his cousin, Mauricio Macri, with reports suggesting lingering disagreements over the party’s future direction.

Further solidifying his position, Macri appointed Laura Alonso, former head of the Anti-Corruption Office, as the new institutional spokesperson for the City. Alonso, known for her critical stance on Milei’s political approach, is seen as a strategic media asset for Macri’s administration during the upcoming electoral campaign.

This strategic shift comes amidst significant changes within the city government. Following a series of high-profile police escapes, a major shakeup occurred within the City Police force. Nestor Grindetti, the former mayor of Lanús, who, along with diego Kravetz, faced challenges due to the “double command” management style, has been replaced by Gabriel Sánchez Zinny as Chief of Staff.Grindetti will now serve as Secretary of Strategic Policy, responsible for negotiations with the national government, legislative relations, and communication with mayors across the country.

The political landscape in Buenos Aires is undeniably complex, with Macri’s actions reflecting a calculated strategy to navigate the challenges and solidify PRO’s position in the lead-up to the crucial 2027 elections.

Macri’s Political Maneuvering Amidst milei’s Ultimatum

Buenos Aires Mayor jorge Macri is undertaking a significant cabinet reshuffle, a move interpreted by many as a strategic response to the escalating political pressure from libertarian leader Javier Milei. The changes come on the heels of Milei’s ultimatum: “We go together everywhere or we will go separately,” a demand that has sent ripples thru the PRO party.

One key change involves the restructuring of the city’s transportation and infrastructure departments. The Transport and Mobility portfolio will be separated from Infrastructure, signaling a potential shift in priorities. Meanwhile, Valentin Diaz Gilligan is reportedly poised to retain the Economic Development portfolio, a position previously held by Roberto garcía Moritán.

The communication strategy within macri’s team is also undergoing adjustments. Fernando de Andreis, a close advisor to Mauricio Macri, has already made an impact in this area. Speculation is mounting that Deputy Martín yeza may also join the communications team.

Macri’s actions are seen as a direct response to Milei’s aggressive stance. Sources within the PRO party in Parque Patricios emphasize the urgency of the situation: “We have to put white on black and strengthen ourselves; they [referring to Milei’s forces] ‘They come for power in the City’,” they stated. This sentiment was echoed in Belgrano, where young PRO activists debuted a new song, chanting, “Bring Karina to Capital so she can see that the Buenos Aires man does not change his mind with Jorge and Mauricio, we are going to beat them.” This could be interpreted as the first overt challenge to Milei’s growing influence.

The political maneuvering in Buenos Aires reflects a broader struggle within Argentina’s political landscape.The upcoming elections are shaping up to be highly contested, with Milei’s libertarian movement posing a significant challenge to the established parties. Macri’s strategic moves aim to consolidate his base and counter Milei’s growing popularity.

Let’s break down this article and identify its key elements:



main Themes:



Political Maneuvering: The article focuses heavily on the political strategies and power plays within Buenos Aires’ government, especially surrounding Mayor Jorge Macri and his relationship with his cousin, former President Mauricio Macri, and libertarian figure Javier Milei.

PRO’s Identity: A core theme is PRO’s (Republican Proposal) struggle to maintain its distinct identity in the face of Milei’s rising popularity. Macri is trying to assert PRO’s independence and appeal to its traditional base.

Electoral Reform: The proposed elimination of primaries in Buenos Aires is a key point of contention. While Macri’s team argues it’s a matter of efficiency, critics see it as a power move.



Key Players:



Jorge Macri: Mayor of Buenos Aires, trying to navigate PRO’s future and maintain his city’s autonomy.

Mauricio Macri: Former President of Argentina and Jorge’s cousin. His relationship with Javier Milei adds complexity to the political landscape.

Javier Milei: Libertarian presidential candidate whose growing influence is shaking up traditional politics.

Laura Alonso: Newly appointed spokesperson for Buenos Aires, known for her critical stance on Milei.



Crucial Details:





Primaries Debate: The proposed elimination of primaries is seen as a potential advantage for Macri but faces strong opposition.



coalition Building: Jorge macri’s need to secure legislative support highlights the complex alliances and negotiations required in Argentine politics.



City Government Restructuring: Macri seeks to restructure the city government, potentially through constitutional amendments, but faces resistance.

National vs.Local Politics: The article highlights the tension between national political trends and the interests of Buenos aires.



Overall Narrative:



The article presents a dynamic picture of buenos Aires politics, characterized by shifting alliances, ideological clashes, and intense maneuvering for power.Jorge Macri is at the center of this storm, attempting to steer his city through a period of notable change and uncertainty. The outcome of the upcoming elections and the fate of PRO will likely hinge on his ability to navigate these complexities successfully.



Potential Follow-Up Questions:



how will the debate over primary elections unfold in Buenos Aires?

Can Jorge Macri successfully differentiate PRO from Milei’s libertarian movement?

What are the potential implications of Macri’s government restructuring plans?

* How will the relationship between Jorge Macri and his cousin Mauricio evolve amidst the dynamic national political landscape?







Let me know if you have any other specific questions about the article!