“Longing for prominence.” Internal questions grow against the head of the libertarian bloc in the Chamber of DeputiesBy Delfina Celichini

After the fall from grace of the omnibus bill Javier Miley In Congress, sparks and billings are multiplying among the ruling party’s deputies. Oscar Zagohead of the block Freedom Advances (LLA) In Deputies, he is the focus of questioning by a significant portion of his colleagues, who object to his leadership style, which they classify as “personalistic.” Close associates of the libertarian leader in the Lower House retorted: “There is a desire for prominence”.

Although the discomfort in the libertarian caucus is not new, the frustration of seeing the Executive’s initiative founder after intense weeks of work ended up breaking the patience of some legislators, who did not know the behind-the-scenes of the negotiations and consider that the role of block leader could be exercised in a more virtuous manner. “We were all turned into turnips because of their incompetence”said an LLA deputy who accuses Zago of operating in a circle of “two or three people” and of not sharing what he talks about with other political spaces.

They contrast his behavior with that of the president of the lower house, to whom they attribute friendly manners and cordial treatment. “Oscar imposes, Martín [Menem] seeks consensus”, summarizes. They also argue that Zago is unaware of parliamentary practice, but that he does not listen to his peers either. “He did not agree to name the authorities of the bloc, only he is in charge,” emphasizes one of his most critical colleagues.

Part of the libertarian bloc in the chamber, during the vote in particular on the omnibus billFabián Marelli – LA NACION

Near Zago, however, they criticize the “desire for prominence” of some profiles in the Chamber of Deputies and question the systematic absences of a portion of legislators from the block meetings in the White Room of the Legislative Palace. “There are those who were left with the disappointment of not being in charge of any commission, but these profiles were endorsed in a meeting at Casa Rosada,” Chicanean. Without naming it directly, they refer to Marcela Paganowho intended to chair the Budget Committee but was relegated by José Luis Espertby Avanza Libertad.

The differences that the libertarian deputies expressed in hushed tones were put on the table the same day that Milei’s megaproject was returned to committees. Following the failed vote in particular, an LLA block meeting was improvised to explain to stunned legislators the decision that had just been made. The summit was held in the White Room of the Legislative Palace, lasted around two hours and the presidents of the Constitutional Affairs and General Legislation commission presented –Nicolás Mayoraz y Gabriel Bornoroni, respectively-, as well as Zago and Menem. There, the libertarian deputies demanded that “things be discussed in the bloc.”

It was a kind of anticipation of what would happen just a day later, when it was learned that the libertarian representative Rocio Bonacci had presented a project to repeal the abortion law with the signature of Zago, among others. “The block president cannot be among the signatories and not tell the rest”roared those who oppose his leadership.

José Luis Espert (Avanza Libertad) along with LLA deputies Nicolás Mayoraz and Gabriel BornoroniHernán Zenteno – LA NACION

The tension escalated when the Executive Branch came out to distance itself from Bonacci’s project. Lilia Lemoine, Beltran Benedit, Manuel Quintar y Maria Fernanda Araujo, all from LLA, denied having lent their signature to the repeal project, despite having been included. Zago, meanwhile, did not make a public statement on the matter. “He spoke personally with the deputy,” people around him commented.

Bonacci assured that he asked Zago and Araujo through telephone messages about the initiative, while he told the other legislators personally. “Zago and Araujo gave me the OK on WhatsApp, I gave them the complete project. The message was clear. I sent them the file, I gave them an introduction and asked them if it seemed appropriate to accompany me with the signature,” he said.

Cristian Ritondo greets Martín Menem after the general approval of the omnibus lawHernán Zenteno – LA NACION

This new setback by the leader of the ruling party infuriated his own and ended up eroding ties, already very stressed. Although the libertarian ranks do not speak of a change of profiles in the Chamber of Deputies, versions of joining an interblock with Pro are gaining volume.

If this possibility materializes, all the reflectors point to Cristian Ritondo -the current head of the yellow bloc- as the next head of the official interbloc. This would displace Zago from the center of the political scene and could calm the internal tremor caused by his last actions.

Delfina Celichini

Themes

Chamber of DeputiesPolitical news

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