News of francos

Budget clash, extra sessions, Speaker Menem – Milei’s first year in Congress

Today 17:39 Despite being firmly in the minority, Milei has managed to amend over 100 laws since taking office and advance his programme of fiscal austerity. Nevertheless, tensions with allies and opposition persist, centred on the 2025 Budget, anti-graft laws and electoral reform.

by Facundo Maceira

ECONOMIC POLICY

Milei confirms his ‘chainsaw’ will keep running next year

27-11-2024 15:52 “Full speed ahead,” says Argentina's president, vowing that public spending cuts will continue into 2025.

POLITICS & ECONOMY

Chau Evita? Milei officials eye demolition of iconic BA building

21-11-2024 19:29 Evita must be trembling in heaven – President Javier Milei’s government is evaluating the future of an iconic building on Avenida 9 de Julio. Will the site, once home to state ministries, face the libertarian chainsaw?

POLITICS

Francos suggests ‘Peronist sympathies’ behind Pope’s criticism

23-09-2024 14:46 Cabinet Chief Guillermo Francos has hit back at Pope Francis, alleging his “Peronist sympathies” are behind his criticism of President Javier Milei’s government.

POLITICS

No U-turn on new rules limiting access to public information, says Adorni

06-09-2024 14:06 Presidential Spokesperson Manuel Adorni brushes off criticism from NGOs and rights watchdogs and says government won’t go back on new rules limiting public access to information about state officials.

POLITICS

Milei’s move to limit access to public information condemned

04-09-2024 16:52 Milei’s decree limiting access to public information sparks widespread repudiation in Argentina; Executive Branch introduces changes to current legislation including a redefinition of the concept of “public information” that offers greater “protection” for government officials and prevents publication of "working papers."

POLITICS & CONGRESS

Milei strikes down pension bill forcing government to boost payments

02-09-2024 13:16 President Javier Milei signs decree striking down pension reform bill passed by both houses of Congress; Government begins bid to persuade lawmakers not to overturn veto.

CONGRESS & POLITICS

Milei government prepares legislative agenda for 'second stage'

02-07-2024 16:57 Electoral reform being considered by the Executive branch and a bill could be ready for Congress by August; Ideally, it would include the elimination of the PASO primaries, the move to a single ballot system, the scrapping of gender parity quotas and a lowering of the minimum voting age.

Congress & Politics

Congress set for final showdown on Milei's sweeping reform package

27-06-2024 12:01 Session scheduled to begin at midday and signs indicate the Milei government will secure its first legislative victory since taking office more than six months ago.

POLITICS – ANALYSIS

Turning-point or anarcho-capitalist illusion?

22-06-2024 05:52 The outsider – who by definition was politically weak – is proving to be more resilient than his more traditional peers. Milei’s emergence in Argentina’s political ecosystem already marks a turning-point.

by Agustino Fontevecchia

POLITICS – ANALYSIS

The political commissar, the sister and President Milei’s only friend

08-06-2024 05:32 With the expulsion of Nicolás Posse, Santiago Caputo becomes the only non-family member with a say in President Javier Milei’s inner circle.

by Agustino Fontevecchia

POLITICS

Officials close ranks behind Pettovello as pressure builds

06-06-2024 20:51 Leading figures in government close ranks behind embattled Human Capital Minister Sandra Pettovello; President Milei backs ‘best minister in history’ as foodstuffs scandal rumbles on.

POLITICS

Milei names X user ‘Juan Doe’ as his digital communications director

04-06-2024 17:05 The position of Juan Pablo Carreira, a renowned libertarian activist, was finalised through a decree signed by the President and Cabinet chief Guillermo Francos.

POLITICS

Guillermo Francos: 'Ley de Bases' bill may be approved in July

03-06-2024 16:25 Cabinet chief admits that the initial version of law was too broad and “maybe that’s what led to the failed attempt.”

CONGRESS & POLITICS

Milei’s flagship reforms head for Senate vote

30-05-2024 16:50 Vice-President Victoria Villarruel and new Cabinet Chief Guillermo Francos secure signatures, allowing 'Ley de Bases' to clear committee stage in Senate.

CONGRESS & POLITICS

Argentina bonds climb as Milei deregulation plan moves forward

30-05-2024 14:02 Members of Senate general, budget and constitutional committees approve sending the so-called 'omnibus' bill to all senators.

POLITICS – ANALYSIS

Francos switch is a move to decentralise Cabinet chief decision-making

29-05-2024 13:39 Additional changes coming for state agencies, secretariats and state-run companies, government sources confirm; Cabinet chief portfolio concentrates “too much” and powers will be delegated to other portfolios.

POLITICS: PROFILE

Guillermo Francos: Political negotiator respected by opposition

28-05-2024 21:27 President Milei’s new Cabinet chief is a lawyer who co-founded the party Acción por la República. He will push for “dialogue” after replacing Nicolás Posse.

POLITICS

'Ley de Bases': Meeting between Villarruel, Francos and blocs open to dialogue

28-05-2024 16:24 Vice-President Victoria Villarruel and new Cabinet chief Guillermo Francos are meeting with Senate blocs open to dialogue as talks over President Milei's sweeping reform package ramp up.

POLITICS

Sturzenegger set to join government, confirms new Cabinet chief

28-05-2024 13:08 President Javier Milei will appoint former Central Bank governor Federico Sturzenegger to his Cabinet in the coming days, confirms new Cabinet Chief Guillermo Francos.

Cabinet reshuffle

Milei changes Cabinet chief as Nicolás Posse departs

27-05-2024 21:47 Interior Minister Guillermo Francos will succeed Nicolás Posse as Argentina’s new Cabinet chief; Transition will take place this week, with further changes expected.

POLITICS – ANALYSIS

Milei’s calculated risks

04-05-2024 05:27 It’s not the first time Milei has decided to play ball and look for support beyond the tight borders of his La Libertad Avanza coalition. It shouldn’t be read purely as a strategic change – rather a tactical manoeuvre.

by Agustino Fontevecchia

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Milei finally discovers politics

01-05-2024 22:33 President Milei appealed to dialogue and negotiation and obtained his first parliamentary triumph with the approval of his ‘Ley de Bases’ bill and accompanying fiscal package. The head of state has to persuade people of his ability to govern while in a minority. He is being watched by audiences in Washington and Beijing.

by Walter Curia

CONGRESS

Key test for Milei as lower house opens debate on ‘Omnibus’ reform bill

31-01-2024 12:24 Ruling party obtains quorum and debate begins on President Milei’s sweeping ‘Omnibus’ mega-reform bill; Session expected to last at least 35 hours as libertarian leader faces first true legislative test in the lower house Chamber of Deputies; Government confident it has the numbers.

POLITICS

Scioli joins Milei government as Tourism, Environment & Sports secretary

30-01-2024 16:48 Veteran Peronist minister, who lost 2015 presidential election to Mauricio Macri, switches to Javier Milei’s team, taking up a post as government secretary ; Scioli headed Argentina’s Embassy in Brazil throughout Alberto Fernández’s Presidency.

POLITICS & ELECTIONS

Government out to end PASO primaries in extra Congress sessions

19-12-2023 17:39 In order to reduce political expenditure, President Javier Milei's government will seek to remove the PASO primaries from the electoral process and propose an amendment to the Electoral Code that would implement the single ballot system.

NEW GOVERNMENT

Milei finalises Cabinet line-up ahead of inauguration

07-12-2023 21:15 At press time nearly all the members of new government had been revealed by president-elect’s team; One key gap remains the Health Secretariat, with speculation it may be separated from new ‘Human Capital Ministry.’

ECONOMY & EXCHANGE RATE

Milei minister hints new exchange rate of 650 pesos per greenback

05-12-2023 16:40 Economists react with caution, doubt and criticism to incoming Interior Minister Guillermo Francos’ declaration that peso should be at between 600 and 650 per greenback.

MILEI’S GOVERNMENT

Who will be in Milei’s Cabinet? Confirmed ministers, secretaries

22-11-2023 22:51 The libertarian government will have eight ministries, with Human Capital and Infrastructure the new innovations. Many previous ministries will become secretariats. A look at the confirmed and possible names in the next Cabinet.

ELECTION 2023

Rumours and confirmations: Milei assesses potential cabinet options

26-08-2023 00:27 Propelled by his PASO primary victory, the libertarian lawmaker’s team is hurriedly assessing its options. The presidential hopeful has already said who will be heading Ministries of Foreign and ‘Human Capital,’ the latter pooling sensitive areas under the leadership of a woman with an unknown background. Who might join a Javier Milei cabinet if he is elected as president: confirmed names and rumours.

by Giselle Leclercq