Next Tuesday, at a crucial meeting of the block of deputy leaders of the Advances of Libertypolitical future of Lourdes Arrietawho opposes being kicked out of space soon, which would reduce the libertarian caucus to 37 members, equaling it in size to the bloc of the PRO.
Arrieta, Mendoza’s deputy, was in the eye of the storm after several colleagues from her block were legally denounced for a controversial visit to military authorities in Ezeiza prison. The situation, NA said, was made worse when he suggested that the chairman of the Chamber of Deputies, Martin Menemhas given permission to use an official vehicle to transport the delegates involved, including Beltran Benedit, the organizer of the controversial tour.
The internal conflict intensified last Wednesday, after a session in which the ruling party suffered a political defeat. Several libertarian representatives opposed Arrieta for revealing internal divisions in public and expanding an issue that required the bloc’s urgent closure.
The conflict provoked a strong reaction in Arrieta, who, between tears and screams, attacked Menem, accusing him of not protecting him and not taking responsibility for the conflict that started. His accusation, in which he reiterated that Benedit had “made a bed” of him, was recorded in an audio that went very quickly on social networks, making more tension within the block.
After this incident, Menem admitted that Arrieta’s dismissal was “under consideration.” However, the final decision required the intervention of Karina Milei, general secretary of the Presidency and a key figure in the libertarian space.
The break came when Arrieta appeared before the Commission of Petitions, Powers and Regulations, where he blamed Menem for the controversial trip to the prison of the governors, despite the fact that the Riojan had already explained that he the designation of official vehicles was automatic. procedure for those who ask for it.
Another vice president in the eye of the storm is Rocío Bonacci, who also publicly criticized the trip to the management and said he was “cheated” by Benedit. Although Bonacci has tried to distance himself from the conflict in recent hours, his fate within the bloc remains uncertain unless he decides to withdraw of his own free will. .
In the last few hours, both Arrieta and Bonacci have taken refuge in the wing led by Oscar Zago, former president of the libertarian block and current leader of the MID, who also suffered the intervention of Karina Milei at the time. Marcela Pagano, another congressman with close ties to Arrieta and Bonacci, plans to raise her voice at Tuesday’s meeting against Arrieta’s dismissal, even though the decision seems irreversible .
Pagano, who also faces his own rivalry within the bloc, has enemies such as Lilia Lemoine and Bertie Benegas Lynch. With this situation, there is a fear that the dismissal of Arrieta will trigger a domino effect that could drag down Bonacci and Pagano as well.
The final decision will be announced by Menem on Tuesday, through a note sent to the parliamentary secretary of the bloc, after the meeting of the Liberal representatives. Arrieta is expected to attend the meeting to present his defense before the resolution is sent to a show of hands among the bloc’s 38 delegates.
If sent off, Arrieta will have to decide whether to be a monobloc or join MID Oscar Zago, which would mark a new chapter in La Libertad Avanza’s turbulent recent history.
