Santa Fe judicial system restructuring

The judicial landscape in Santa Fe, Argentina, is undergoing significant personnel changes and institutional strengthening.

In early October, the Ministerio Público de la Acusación (MPA) appointed several new substitute assistant prosecutors across multiple districts. These appointments included Antonela Santamaría in Rufino, Adolfo Pisani in the specialized unit for sexual abuse and gender-based violence in Venado Tuerto, and Natalia Viviana Andrione, Paola Sofía Pradolini, and Ricardo Milton Kettler in Rafaela.

By late October, the restructuring expanded to the provincial high court. Supreme Court ministers Roberto Falistocco and Rafael Gutiérrez submitted their resignations, effective November 30, due to retirement requirements. Rafael Gutiérrez, the current president of the Court, will be succeeded by Jorgelina Genghini and Aldo Alurralde. This transition is part of a broader judicial renewal process initiated by Governor Maximiliano Pullaro, following the recent departures of other magistrates including María Angélica Gastaldi, Mario Netri, and Eduardo Spuler.

Governor Pullaro has defended these changes, stating that the judiciary must “modernize and adopt digital processes to improve efficiency.” He noted that while the outgoing ministers had significant careers, their tenure had reached its conclusion. The new composition of the court will include Daniel Erbetta, Jorge Baclini, Margarita Zabalza, Rubén Weder, Diego Maciel, Jorgelina Genghini, and Aldo Alurralde.

As the transition progresses, the provincial Legislature has already approved the appointments of Genghini and Alurralde. Alurralde, a federal judge in Reconquista, is required to resign his current position to assume the new role. Before their departure, the outgoing ministers will participate in sessions to elect the Court's president for 2027, with Daniel Erbetta expected to lead the tribunal.