Argentina's Lilia Lemoine attacks VP Villarruel over judicial nominations: 'Stone face'

Lilia Lemoine, a legislator from Argentina's ruling La Libertad Avanza party, launched a scathing public attack on Vice President Victoria Villarruel, accusing her of hypocrisy regarding the approval of judicial nominations.

“

Che, Villarruel, vos no le podés cuestionar nada… absolutamente nada a Patricia. ¡Hacete ver esa cara de piedra antes de que empeore!

Lemoine, a close ally of President Javier Milei, took to social media to criticize Villarruel's stance on the contentious Senate session where 74 judicial nominations were approved. "Hey, Villarruel, you can't question anything... absolutely nothing about Patricia [Bullrich]! Get that stone face of yours checked before it gets worse!" Lemoine posted, referencing the internal party conflict.

The dispute stems from Villarruel's criticism of the chaotic Senate session, which saw the list of judicial nominees expand abruptly. Villarruel had questioned why Security Minister Patricia Bullrich put legislators in such a situation, stating, "Yesterday it was 50 nominations, then 53 and today 73. This is not serious; we are talking about judges, not collecting candies at a kiosk."

“

Ayer eran 50 pliegos, después 53 y hoy 73. No es serio, estamos hablando de jueces, no estamos juntando caramelos en un kiosco.

Bullrich herself abstained from voting against the nomination of María Verónica Michelli, who President Milei had reportedly rejected due to her being related to a journalist investigating a sensitive case. Michelli's nomination, along with 73 others, was ultimately approved by a wide majority, with 44 votes in favor and 18 against, primarily from the ruling party. Bullrich clarified her abstention as an individual decision based on freedom of conscience, not binding her bloc.

“

Me voy a abstener de votar en contra de la jueza Michelli. Esa es mi posición y no comprometo a mi bloque. La objeción de conciencia es una decisión individual y eso es lo que quería dejar claro en este momento.