Argentina government accused of extending influence over the judiciary

Journalist Irina Hauser argues that President Javier Milei’s administration is consolidating power within Argentina’s federal judiciary through a series of appointments, term extensions and procedural changes. She cites the renewal of magistrate Carlos Mahiques’ five‑year term despite his age and lack of a competitive selection, as well as the extension granted to labour judge Víctor Pesino. Hauser also highlights the pending departure of Martín Irurzun, whose exit could open a vacancy in the high‑profile Cámara Federal de Combates de la Corrupción. Other cases noted include the contested continuance of judges who were transferred during the previous Macri government and the role of federal judge Ariel Lijo in sensitive investigations, such as the alleged enrichment case involving Manuel Adorni and the Libra scandal overseen by Judge Marcelo Martínez de Giorgi. Hauser concludes that these “small decisions” signal a broader strategy to “colonize” the judicial branch.