In a decisive move, Argentina’s Senate vetoed President Javier Milei’s selections for the Supreme Court on Thursday, challenging the libertarian leader's judicial and economic ambitions.
The rejection of Ariel Lijo and Manuel García-Mansilla by the Senate dealt a significant setback to President Milei's plans to implement sweeping economic reforms and reshape the judiciary through executive measures, as ABC News reports.
The announcement came after the Senate convened to vote on the controversial court nominees, both appointed by Milei during the congressional summer recess earlier this year. The nominees, federal judge Ariel Lijo and conservative law professor Manuel García-Mansilla, were initially appointed via a presidential decree. This decision by Milei was based on his interpretation of a constitutional provision that he claimed granted him the authority to fill court vacancies without a Senate vote during recess.
Milei's nominees, however, failed to win the Senate’s approval. Ariel Lijo managed to secure only 27 votes, with 43 opposing his appointment. Similarly, García-Mansilla fell short, receiving 21 votes in favor and 51 against. The overwhelming opposition highlighted the president's struggle to rally support within a legislative body where his libertarian coalition occupies only a fraction of the seats -- 7 out of 72.
Critics of Milei's nominations voiced strong concerns regarding judicial independence and political overreach. Lijo's candidacy, in particular, was marred by allegations of impropriety. Anti-corruption advocates had previously criticized him for alleged involvement in money laundering and delaying corruption investigations. Lijo, however, has consistently denied these accusations.
García-Mansilla faced his own challenges, particularly from the powerful Peronist bloc. His conservative stance on social issues, including abortion, drew significant opposition, contributing to the groundswell that ultimately thwarted his nomination.
Since taking office, President Milei has leaned heavily on executive orders to advance his legislative agenda, navigating his administration through a Congress where his coalition lacks a majority. The president defended his nominees and expressed disappointment over the Senate's decisions, citing political motivations as the root cause.
According to an official statement from Milei’s office, the Senate acted on political grounds, not assessing the nominees on their qualifications. This sentiment echoed a growing institutional conflict narrative, culminating in a charged debate across party lines.
Unión por la Patria’s Sen. Anabel Fernández Sagasti criticized the executive’s move as creating "a serious institutional conflict" between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The senator described Milei's approach as an "institutional assault" on democratic norms.
Supporters of the Senate’s decision hailed the vote as a triumph of democratic resilience, emphasizing the critical importance of maintaining checks and balances within Argentina's governance structure. Juan Pappier, deputy director for the Americas at Human Rights Watch, articulated these concerns, highlighting the potential erosion of judicial independence. Pappier asserted that the Senate’s rejection represented a vital barrier against one of the gravest threats to judicial independence Argentina has faced since the restoration of democracy. He further noted that Milei’s actions risked undermining essential democratic principles.
Amid this debate, centrist lawmaker Luis Juez voiced skepticism of Lijo's track record, humorously likening the judge to a famous Argentine hypnotist known for his ability to make things disappear. This analogy underscored broader misgivings about Lijo's credibility and impartiality from centrist factions within the Senate.
The implications of this political deadlock extend beyond the immediate issue of judicial appointments, threatening to complicate Milei's administration’s broader economic overhaul agenda. The judicial vacancies remain an open issue, with the administration vowing to use available constitutional mechanisms to address these gaps and restore confidence in Argentina’s institutions.
While President Milei navigates these challenges, the scenario underscores the complex political landscape and the persistent obstacles his administration faces in achieving its sweeping policy goals. With a fragile legislative foothold, future strategies will need to account for both political resistance and affirming democratic principles.
