President Javier Milei continues with his aspirations to renew the Cabinet, thereby giving oxygen to a government that finds broad social support in contrast to a series of allegations and judicial cases for alleged acts of corruption. After appointing Diego Santilli at the head of the Ministry of the Interior and Manuel Adorni as Chief of Cabinet, he added two more allies: Alejandra Monteoliva in Security and Carlos Presti in Defense. These are two individuals with extensive careers in their respective areas, with strong technical profiles and whose names are well-regarded within the ministries they will now command. This opened an old wound in the heart of the libertarian circle, as with both appointments, Milei made it clear the irreconcilable distance he maintains with Vice President Victoria Villarruel. The breakdown in the relationship between the president and his running mate began at the end of 2023 when he offered Patricia Bullrich and Luis Petri, his rivals in the general elections, control of both ministries. Rather than reorganizing the ministries with people from Villarruel's camp, Milei prioritized relations with the former 'Together for Change' candidates and sent the elected senator to meet with the President of the Senate. Bullrich will assume the presidency of the ruling bloc in the Senate after December 10th and will also be tasked with overseeing Villarruel's work, to whom he asked to help approve the National Government's projects and to 'not boycott' the official agenda. His words were not casual; it was an explicit request from the National Executive, which sees the vice president as a 'traitor,' as the head of state has repeated on several occasions. Today, Milei is strengthened. With a successful election, a refreshed Cabinet, and a parliamentary group that continues to gain adherents, he does not believe he needs to rekindle his relationship with his vice president. Today, his political agenda focuses on improving relations with governors and securing the approval of projects to help implement what he calls 'second-generation reforms.' This is a second chapter of the government, following fiscal adjustment and the stabilization of public accounts. These include labor reform and greater economic openness. With his own bloc of twenty senators and the support of dialoguing sectors like PRO, Villarruel's influence over the management of the Casa Rosada will be reduced, which will undoubtedly fuel the confrontation between the head of state and his vice president. This is an additional advantage that Adorni will have. The former Chief of Cabinet, Guillermo Francos, had to maintain contacts with Villarruel within the framework of the National Government's legislative agenda. His successor will be able to avoid that responsibility and will have a much simpler job regarding the Executive's projects. The coordinating minister may not need to build bridges with the President of the Senate.
