Karina Milei Directs Congress Toward 2027 Elections

Karina Milei, sister of Argentina's President Javier Milei, is strategically expanding her influence over the national Congress with an eye on the 2027 elections. Moving beyond a consultative role, she is now directly involved in coordinating legislative efforts, supervising daily parliamentary activities, and dictating the agenda.

This increased control is facilitated by a dedicated team, notably the Menem family trio: Martín Menem, President of the Chamber of Deputies; Eduardo “Lule” Menem, Undersecretary of Institutional Management; and Sharif Menem, Director General of the Presidency of the Chamber of Deputies. Sharif, representing the libertarian youth aligned with Karina Milei, was publicly showcased alongside her during a recent session, signaling his importance in her strategy to counter the influence of Santiago Caputo's faction among younger militants.

In contrast, the Senate presents a different landscape for Karina Milei. Vice President Victoria Villarruel has been sidelined from the ruling party's core, and while Patricia Bullrich remains aligned, she maintains a degree of autonomy that causes discomfort within the "karinismo" faction. Bullrich's independent approach clashes with the top-down structure promoted by the President's sister.

Ignacio Devitt, the new Deputy Chief of Staff, closely monitors the Senate's daily proceedings. Previously Secretary of Strategic Affairs, Devitt now works under Chief of Staff Diego Santilli but remains politically loyal to Karina Milei, even participating in recent libertarian bloc meetings in the Senate. The strategy involves both expanding her direct presence and managing potential dissenters, including monitoring Bullrich's movements and ensuring legislative loyalty.