Javier Milei pushes judicial appointments as Kicillof tops opposition poll in Argentina

Senator Patricia Bullrich urged an urgent Senate session to approve roughly thirty judicial bills that would fill about 100 of the 300 vacancies in the Argentine judiciary appointed by President Javier Milei. The proposals include the nomination of former judge’s secretary Juan Rodríguez Ponte to a criminal court in Lomas de Zamora, a tribunal handling high‑profile investigations into former mayor Martín Insaurralde and businessman Jesica Cirio. The session’s quorum is uncertain because several allied senators may be absent during the winter recess.

At the same time, a Casa Tres poll shows Governor Axel Kicillof emerging as the main opponent to Milei, surpassing former president Cristina Kirchner by nearly 13 points. Kicillof is perceived as the leading challenger by 36 % of respondents, while Kirchner trails with 23 %. The survey also revealed widespread negativity toward the country’s future, especially among young voters, and highlighted economic concerns, corruption, low wages and unemployment as top problems.