For me, it is an honor to represent the PD, a party that made Mendoza the most prosperous province in the west of the country based on a liberal-conservative model. A party that re-emerged a few years ago in the face of the rise of liberalism and was the first political force to support Javier Milei and his candidacy. At the same time, she was sworn in as president of the National Democratic Party, a position for which she received public and explicit congratulations from President Javier Milei himself. It can be safely assumed that both gestures explicitly confirmed her closer alignment (hers and her National Democratic Party) with the Argentine libertarian leader, from whom they seemed to have distanced themselves after the electoral agreement with Cambia Mendoza (“the Cornejoism,” as she calls it), from which the now “violet” Luis Petri emerged as the big winner. Federalism is inherent to the party. He has always publicly expressed the great value he attributes to the Democratic Party. The model of concentration and hegemonic exercise of power, without the slightest room for pluralism and critical thinking, will lead us only to become a stagnant feudal estate plunged into fear and endemic corruption. — Do you feel that now, with the arrival of the “libertarian wave,” the citizens took too long to understand the historical postulates of your party? — The people of Mendoza once bet on democratic governors and their ideology. But that does not take away our firm and persistent support for the program promoted by the President, expressed in the votes and integration into the bloc. I believe that Mendoza needs a genuine liberal alternative that represents a real option against a progressive and authoritarian-style management. — Do you believe that, based on the greater freedom that Milei proposes, the Democratic Party can recover some of the electoral capital of other times, even in the Province? I refer to the entire control network co-opted by politics under an increasingly caudillo-style scheme. Political ideas are cyclical, they evolve, accompany and trigger political processes. It is absolutely alien to my scale of values to go to another political force for mere opportunism. — Do they share their strategy, for example, with mining? — In Mendoza, we will continue to defend, as always, the ideas of freedom and the republic, absent (or speculatively feigned) in our province, besieged by interventionism and an increasingly entrenched and overwhelming caudillismo. Citizenship understood that the populist interventionist cycle had run its course and expressed its discontent with its poor results and its denial of individualities. I will also continue to work on projects aimed at strengthening institutionalism, combating corruption, eliminating privileges, modernizing and professionalizing the public sector, and improving the quality of education. — How do you see the future relationship of the PD with the provincial government, with which they are not “electoral partners” and (it is not the same as with the National Government). I have already stated in the chamber that from the PD we are in favor of the elimination of coparticipation. — Everything indicates that this year you will have a greater leading role in Congress. What are the strategic issues in which you will be most committed? — In the National Congress, I will continue to participate with the same commitment as always, defending the ideas of freedom in the chamber, in committees, and publicly. — Or is Cornejo going to take them? — We will continue to work with all the conviction and great energy so that the Democratic Party continues to consolidate. Although in the last electoral juncture we did not join the front, it was because we were at opposite poles in ideological and political principles with one of its partners, the “Cornejoism.” There is no viable democracy with single-party systems. A party that raises not only the banners of economic liberalism but also political liberalism. This is not the case of Llano, who presents herself as a political scientist, researcher, university professor and incapable of betraying her political group out of mere “opportunism.” Also, Tota Salinas, a leader from Godoy Cruz, was a great example for me of the humanity and empathy inherent in this noble activity. This article was first published in Mendoza Today. Source: Mendoza Today. Mendoza ceased to be the jewel of western Argentina due to the primacy of successive administrations that aspire to hegemonize power and manage the state as a booty. Mercedes Llano / NA — Does the Province need more pluralism? — The eternal question that today takes on greater importance is: will it continue like this or is there no other path but to “nationalize”? — Pluralism is the basis of democracy. He showed great respect for our position and clearly our good bond remains very strong. — The PD has had federalism as one of its fundamental principles. For you, did those who do it do so out of conviction or mere political opportunism? — To be loyal to the party that supported you, I do not think it is an act of courage, but simply to do what is due. My vocation and passion are such that, in addition to practical experience, for about 20 years I have dedicated myself to studying political and public administration issues. As a result of this discontent, I trusted in liberalism and its potential, as historically demonstrated, to make the country grow and insert it internationally. — Do you consider that the Government of Mendoza did everything possible to steer the provincial economy and that in 2026 it will grow again? — No. Opportunism is highly damaging to democracy and I understand that it is a reflection of the prioritization of personal interest over public interest. — You have a surname “undemocratically democratic.” On the one hand, the current national deputy for Mendoza had firmly starred in December in the defense and discussion of the main postulates of the Budget sent by the National Executive Power to Congress for this new year. I would never betray the party I represent, which trusted me, for which the people of Mendoza voted and with whose ideas and principles I fully agree. It is understandable that a president who comes to power without his own force aspires to form his party throughout the country. Today we are governed by a hegemonic force that aspires to enable re-election, a reflection of the decline of our political system. That is our goal. — You had the “courage” (let us call it that) to stay in the PD, while other affiliates gradually left to La Libertad Avanza. Raúl Pedone Mercedes Llano started a promising 2026 in her political career. — Do you see this as a sign of rapprochement between the libertarians and the Mendoza democrats, after a period of “distance”? The results confirmed even more the need to “do something” to recover, even in part, the lush electoral capital that it knew how to boast in other golden ages of provincial history. It has been a bitter pill for the PD in Mendoza, although many disguise it. So that no one doubts her convictions or alignment. Today I also teach, research and publish in this field. We believe that tolerance, freedom of expression, the republic and federalism, that is, the division of powers in all its dimensions, are also fundamental pillars of our political system. — Milei congratulated her publicly for that position. During the interview with Mendoza Today, “Mechi” – as everyone knows her – reaffirmed her convictions reflected in a certain way in the bills presented in these two years as a national legislator, oriented towards transparency, efficiency of the State and to improve institutionalism. — What meaning and weight does it have to be president of the National Democratic Party? — For me it is a true honor to represent a party that brought together liberal and conservative forces, a space heir to the Generation of '80, which knew how to transform the country into a power. No progress is possible without the rule of law. Fragmentation curbs abuses of power and balances. And it is for whom I feel deep admiration and respect. — Will you tell Milei when something does not please them (coparticipation, for example)? — The National Democratic Party was created in 1931 by local liberal and conservative forces. I think there is a great delay and deterioration in institutional matters. These are my complementary examples of rectitude, dignity and daring. — Is another stage of that relationship beginning? — Of course, I am honored by Milei's recognition, for whom I feel great admiration and deep respect. Who was your teacher/guide when you started? — Since I was born I have lived with politics. I think that the PD can be considered as a complementary party that contributes the strength of traditions and experience, poise and the solidity and traceability of ideas, values and principles. The heritage of citizens is sacred and the main function of Congress is to safeguard it. The 2026 budget project is surplus and austere, reflecting a model of a minimal state at the service of the citizen and not of politics. On the other hand, the project of compromisio…pic.twitter.com/QYDqe4PKeF — Mechi Llano (@LlanoMechi) December 17, 2025 — And, above all, considering that in the last elections they were not together. — It also has great value in the symbolic and historical plane. Our province was characterized by a high institutional quality associated with multi-partyism and the restriction of re-election. My grandfather and father awakened my interest.
