The Office of President Javier Milei announced today the appointment of judges Manuel García-Mansilla and Ariel Lijo in the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation, after almost a year without treatment of their briefs by the Senate.
According to the President's Office, the briefs of both magistrates were sent to the Upper House on May 27, 2024, after fulfilling all the required procedural instances, including public hearings last August. However, the Senate did not address the appointment, despite the regulatory requirements being met and the candidates' backgrounds being disseminated.
The Executive Power reminded that the National Constitution grants the President the exclusive authority to nominate judges for the Supreme Court, while the Senate must agree or reject the briefs based on an analysis of suitability and without political criteria.
"The politicization of Justice is one of the main causes of why Argentines do not have an efficient judicial service," emphasized the official statement. Furthermore, it highlighted that "a significant majority of the political spectrum supported Néstor Kirchner and Mauricio Macri in the appointment of judges for the Court at the time."
Faced with the Senate's lack of definition, the Government argued that the Constitution enables the President to make interim appointments to fill vacancies during the legislative recess, until the next legislature decides on the matter.
Finally, the Casa Rosada justified the measure by indicating that "the Highest Court cannot operate normally with only three ministers" and reaffirmed that it will continue the legislative process for the Senate to exercise its authority to agree to the briefs.
