Away from Pro. Larreta sets up his foundation, dedicates himself to advising on “management” and visiting governors and mayorsBy Delfina Celichini

Horacio Rodríguez Larreta He keeps a low profile and evaluates his next steps. After eight years as head of government of the city of Buenos Aires, and after losing the presidential election of Together for Change (JxC) with Patricia Bullrich -current Minister of Security-, today walks with lead feet. Without leaving aside the hyperactivity that characterizes him, he puts together a foundation or think tank political, provides advice to subnational governments and focuses on exploiting its main asset: management.

In parallel, he looks askance at the power disputes within Pro and does not rule out moving away completely. The possibility of an agreement between the yellow party and the government of Javier Miley, with whom he had high-voltage public counterpoints, leaves Rodríguez Larreta meters away from a slamming door. The fact that whoever is in charge of conducting this process is Mauricio Macri, his initial patron and final executioner, contributes to the silent exile of the space in which he developed his political career. His bond with the former president was never mended again after he implicitly supported his former rival in the presidential race.

Bullrich also suffered, to whom Macri gave timid support after the overwhelming result obtained by Milei in the primaries. The former president sent winks to the libertarian every time he could and undermined the confidence of his party’s candidate during the second part of the presidential campaign. With the economist’s arrival in the Casa Rosada, the tension between Macri and Bullrich escalated. The bid to occupy spaces in the brand new Government ended up blowing up the bridges between them and, as he learned THE NATIONTo this day the relationship remains very strained.

Mauricio Macri and Patricia BullrichRicardo Access

For this reason, the Minister of Security is not happy that the former president is the next president of Pro. Without enough strength to confront him on her own, Bullrich tried to bring positions closer to Rodríguez Larreta to counterbalance Macri’s interference in the match. Although the dialogue between the former rivals existed, it led to nothing. “Horacio is more outside than inside,” a person close to him told this medium, who ruled out the possibility of the former Buenos Aires mayor challenging Macri’s candidacy.

Rodríguez Larreta’s focus is on taking advantage of the government plan that he prepared in detail with his technical teams in the face of the then possibility of landing in the Casa Rosada.. “I had defined all the steps to follow during the first days of management so as not to waste time,” confided one collaborator. That know how It is what today is in charge of disseminating in the cabinets of mayors and governors nearby. “It’s like a masterclass“, they point out. His embryonic foundation, which still has no name, will also have the imprint of political management and will be the tool through which he will materialize his ideas. He will not resurrect the Sophia Group, a former hotbed of political cadres linked to the former head of Government.

Horacio Rodríguez Larreta and Mauricio Macri, during the inauguration of Jorge Macri as head of the Buenos Aires governmentRodrigo Néspolo

With that focus he traveled to San Luis in recent weeks, where he commands Luis Poggi, governor of Peronist extraction from Together for Change. He also went to Santa Fe to collaborate with the radical administration Maximiliano Pullarothey look for a Martin Lousteau; as well as the city of Mendoza, where he met with the mayor Ulpiano Suarezleader of the UCR linked to the provincial president Alfredo Cornejo. As far as he could know THE NATIONhas planned in the coming days to visit the governor of Entre Ríos, Rogelio Frigerio, in Paraná. Far from the Federal Capital, where he founded his political base, today Rodríguez Larreta travels the country and prioritizes a federal agenda.

It is always a pleasure to meet and work with people who share our vision of making changes for the benefit of people. Thank you @ulpianosuarez for the openness and space to exchange experiences. https://t.co/GU2LFDnqcq

— Horacio Rodríguez Larreta (@horaciorlarreta) February 1, 2024

“Horacio does not change his convictions because he lost,” stressed a person close to the former Buenos Aires mayor, who emphasizes that the search for consensus with different political forces continues to be one of his main axioms for the Pro leader. For this reason, he contrasts with a significant portion of his colleagues who support him – including many of his former allies internally – who hardened his positions in the face of the emergence of Milei, who moved the axis of the political discussion towards the extremes.

Faced with the possibility of a Pro-La Libertad Avanza agreement, the leaders who still express harmony with Rodríguez Larreta are waiting to know the terms and conditions of the rapprochement with the ruling party to move their chips. “It’s a conversation between leaders, nobody knows anything,” he told THE NATION a legislator referenced to the former mayor. Despite agreeing with most of the reforms proposed by Milei, they are refractory to the ways of the President, whom they consider to be operating on the margins of institutions.

“A roadmap has to be defined. It is not adding for the sake of adding,” emphasized a yellow deputy about the possible convergence with the libertarians. If the how is detailed and common criteria for action are established, it is likely that the Pro blocs in Congress will prioritize cohesion and not split over the agreement with the ruling party. However, the explosiveness of the President, as well as part of his cabinet, could be a breaking point for some leaders, who look askance at the unpredictability of the Government. If this happened, Rodríguez Larreta’s arms would be open to receive the next disillusioned.

Cristian Ritondo, head of the Pro block in DeputiesHernan Zenteno – La Nacion

Delfina Celichini

Themes

Political newsHoracio Rodríguez Larreta

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