Patricia Bullrich Remains Senate Block Leader Amid Dispute Over Judge Michelli

Senator Patricia Bullrich, head of the La Libertad Avanza bloc in Argentina’s Senate, offered her resignation after publicly opposing President Javier Milei’s decision to withdraw the candidacy of judge María Verónica Michelli. Milei rejected the offer and Bullrich kept her post. The two met at the Casa Rosada with Karina Milei, the president’s sister and secretary‑general of the Presidency, and Bullrich posted a photo captioned, “Reunión con Karina, trabajando siempre juntas por las transformaciones que lidera el Presidente Javier Milei.” She also said, “Hablé con el Presidente… puse a disposición mi renuncia, él no le dio importancia.” The episode sparked an internal rift in the officialist coalition, prompting other legislators such as Carolina Losada, Victoria Villarruel and members of the Radical bloc to announce support for Michelli’s nomination. Critics note Michelli’s family ties to journalist Hugo Alconada Mon. The controversy may delay Senate deliberations on dozens of pending judicial appointments.