30% of strategic posts vacant at Comodoro Py courts after judge's exit

The federal courts at Comodoro Py are facing a deepening crisis of vacant positions following the departure of Judge Martín Irurzun, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 75. This exacerbates a problem that plagues the entire federal judiciary system in Argentina.

Out of the 80 most critical positions within the Comodoro Py building, which serves as the hub for investigations into those in power, 24 are currently without permanent holders. This means 30% of these sensitive roles are vacant, impacting the efficiency and stability of the judicial process.

The government has expressed an intention to fill some of these vacancies by sending nominations to the Senate. However, other positions might be eliminated altogether. The issue spans all levels of the judicial structure, from the initial investigation courts (juzgados) to the appellate chambers (Cámara Federal), the trial courts (Tribunales Orales), and the supreme appellate court (Casación).

The situation is partially sustained by 'subrogancias,' a system of temporary appointments where magistrates or officials from other departments fill the gaps, often receiving additional pay. This mechanism concentrates the decision-making power on high-profile cases in the hands of a reduced number of judges, raising concerns about impartiality and workload distribution.