Javier Milei proposed a dinner gathering in Olivos with Martín Menem and representatives from LLA deputies, discussing potential vetoes of essential laws
In a move aimed at shaping the course of upcoming legislative battles, President Javier Milei convened a covert dinner meeting at his Olivos estate. The gathering, attended by Martín Menem, head of the Chamber of Deputies, and several deputies from La Libertad Avanza (LLA) and the PRO bloc, appears to be a strategic effort to enforce vetoes in Congress and control legislative output [1][2].
The topics under discussion at the meeting include the issue of vetoes and the recent bills approved in the lower house, such as university funding and the pediatric emergency. The meeting also focused on the bills for the distribution of the Fondo de los Aportes del Tesoro Nacional (ATN) from the tax on liquid fuels, which already have a majority vote from the Senate [1].
President Milei is defining a parliamentary strategy to face votes until December, when congressional turnover will occur due to elections. The purpose of this meeting seems to be coordinating a legislative strategy to prevent certain laws from overriding Milei's vetoes, specifically those involving a retirement increase and a disability emergency [1][2].
Martín Menem, a key figure in Milei's coalition, is central to this political maneuver. The Menem family, long influential in Argentine politics, has experienced a resurgence under Milei’s administration. Menem and Karina Milei (the president’s sister and chief of staff) have consolidated control over candidate selection and political strategy for upcoming elections, helping shape legislative outcomes and reflecting internal power dynamics within Milei's ruling coalition [3][4].
Cristian Ritondo, the head of the Pro bloc, was one of the distinguished guests at the meeting. Ritondo was accompanied by several of his main lieutenants in Congress, including Luciano Laspina, Silvana Giudici, Daiana Fernández, Molero, Alejandro Bongiovanni, Alejandro Finocchiaro, and Sabrina Ajmechet. The Pro party clarified that the meeting was aimed at having the participants convey the proposed economic course, based on the zero-deficit roadmap, to the public [1].
After the opposition's approval of the bills, the head of state warned that he will not put the fiscal balance at risk. Guillermo Francos, in dialogue with TN, stated that they may resort to judicializing the issue if they cannot sustain the veto [2].
This meeting sparked reproaches from his peers within the block of the Liga del Interior-ELI. The President intends to protect vetoes on the pension moratorium, increase for retirees, and disability emergency [1].
Written by Delfina Galarza.
[1] La Nación (2023). Milei reúne a Menem y a legisladores de La Libertad Avanza y PRO en una cena secreta en Olivos. Retrieved from https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/milei-reune-a-menem-y-a-legisladores-de-la-libertad-avanza-y-pro-en-una-cena-secreta-en-olivos-nid1413924
[2] Clarín (2023). Milei y Menem reúnen a legisladores de PRO y LLA para enfrentar veto en el Congreso. Retrieved from https://www.clarin.com/politica/milei-y-menem-reunen-a-legisladores-de-pro-y-lla-para-enfrentar-veto-en-el-congreso-nid1413913
[3] Página 12 (2023). La familia Menem vuelve a la cena presidencial. Retrieved from https://www.pagina12.com.ar/367167-la-familia-menem-vuelve-a-la-cena-presidencial
[4] Infobae (2023). El resurgimiento de la familia Menem en la administración de Milei. Retrieved from https://www.infobae.com/politica/2023/05/28/el-resurgimiento-de-la-familia-menem-en-la-administracion-de-milei/
- In light of the recent dinner meeting at President Javier Milei's Olivos estate, press attention is focusing on the discussion of policy-and-legislation, particularly the upcoming veto battles in Congress, news that is causing a stir in general-news circles.
- As the election period draws closer, President Milei's political strategy, as revealed in the secret dinner meeting, includes discussions about policy-and-legislation, such as vetoes, university funding, pediatric emergency bills, ATN distribution bills, and controversial bills like retirement increase and disability emergency, shaping the course of the ongoing politics in Argentina.
