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Argentine ruling party lawmakers continue to leave the ship
Paoltroni questioned whether Milei handled funds too casually, harming the interests of those in need.
Just a day after Congresswoman Lourdes Arrieta quit the House bloc of the ruling Liberal Avant-Garde Party (LLA), Francisco Paoltroni of Formosa was removed from the party’s Senate bloc on Wednesday, citing “irreconcilable differences,” confirming that the hastily assembled coalition to support Javier Milei’s presidential bid is not going well.
The order of Paultroni’s removal was signed by LLA Senators Bartolomé Abdala, Vilma Bedia and Juan Carlos Pagoto, while Ivana Arrascaeta and Bruno Olivera Lucero supported the motion via email. Abdala is also the Speaker Pro Tempore of the Chamber of Deputies, filling in for Vice President Victoria Villarruel in her occasional absences, and is also second in line to the Casa Rosada in case of a vacancy.
“We have the honor to write to you as members of the La Libertad Avanza Senatorial Alliance to request the expulsion of National Senator Francisco Manuel Paoltroni from our alliance, citing irreconcilable differences,” the LLA alliance wrote to Villarruel.
Paolotroni has strongly criticized Milley’s intelligence ministry (SIDE) for spending 100 billion Argentine pesos (about $74 million at the unofficial exchange rate), while announcing his veto of any measures to improve pensions for the elderly. Paolotroni also opposed Milley’s choice of federal judge Ariel Lijo to the Supreme Court. The judge now needs Senate confirmation to join the Judiciary Committee.
“The retirees have no money, SIDE has money, how can I look at a grandfather from Formosa with any expression? I go to the bakery, (and) a grandfather grabs me and asks me ‘will we have a salary increase?’, and I tell him ‘no, there is no money’. And for (presidential multi-tasking adviser) Santiago Caputo, there is 100 billion pesos to manage as he pleases, without giving any explanation!”, Paoltroni said in a radio interview.
In addition, the government agency responsible for pensioners’ health care (PAMI) recently decided to reduce the list of medicines distributed free of charge and cut coverage of other prescription drugs, forcing patients to pay a higher proportion of already soaring prices.
Also hurting the party’s reputation was the arrest on Wednesday of Germán Kiczka, a provincial councillor for the LLA in the province of Misiones, in the municipality of Loreto, Corrientes, for possession and distribution of child pornography. Interpol has issued a red alert for Kiczka, who is feared to have fled to Brazil, Paraguay or even Spain. Kiczka’s brother, Sebastian, is also wanted for the same crime.
Security Minister Patricia Bullrich celebrated Kichka’s arrest: “There are pedophile deputies in there,” she posted on social media. “These psychopaths will pay,” she added.
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