Argentina's ruling party lawmakers keep leaving the boat

Thursday, August 29th 2024 - 10:55 UTC



Paoltroni questioned Milei's overly discretional handling of funds to the detriment of the needy

Just one day after the departure of Congresswoman Lourdes Arrieta from the ruling La Libertad Avanza's (LLA) Lower House bloc, Formosa's Francisco Paoltroni was expelled Wednesday from the party's grouping on the Senate citing “irreconcilable differences,” which would corroborate that an alliance built up in haste to endorse Javier Milei's presidential bid was not achieved seamlessly.

Paoltroni's dismissal was signed by LLA Senators Bartolomé Abdala, Vilma Bedia, and Juan Carlos Pagoto, while Ivana Arrascaeta and Bruno Olivera Lucero endorsed the initiative via e-mail. Abdala is also the House's Provisional Speaker, who replaces Vice President Victoria Villarruel in case of an occasional absence and is also second-in-line to Casa Rosada in case of vacancy.

“We are pleased to address you in our capacity as members of the block of senators of La Libertad Avanza for the purpose of requesting the expulsion from our block of National Senator Francisco Manuel Paoltroni by virtue of irreconcilable differences,” read a note from the LLA bloc to Villarruel.

Paoltroni had been highly critical of Milei's Intelligence Secretary (SIDE) AR$ 100 billion (around US$ 74 million at the unofficial exchange rate) spending while announcing his decision to veto any improvement on senior citizens' pensions. Paoltroni also opposed Milei's choice of Federal Judge Ariel Lijo for a seat on the Supreme Court. The magistrate now needs the Senate's nod to be confirmed on the Judiciary panel.

More:
https://en.mercopress.com/2024/08/29/argentina-s-ruling-party-lawmakers-keep-leaving-the-boat