Peronist Party's Internal Strife Escalates in Buenos Aires Legislature, but Kicillof Backs His Cristina-Aligned Ministers

Internal strife within Argentina's Peronist Party (PJ) is creating friction in the Buenos Aires Provincial Senate, yet Governor Axel Kicillof is keeping his cabinet ministers aligned with Cristina Kirchner in their posts. These ministers and officials remain despite criticism from their political leaders directed at the provincial governor.

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In management, there are no problems.

Recent public statements by Máximo Kirchner have been described as a "breaking point" by those within Kicillof's circle. On June 20, during a rally supporting Cristina Kirchner, the former president's son criticized those who "talk about unity every day but aren't even capable of visiting her."

However, both Kicillof's sector and La Cámpora, the Kirchnerist youth organization, assert that the dispute does not hinder the provincial cabinet's work. The cabinet is reportedly divided between loyalists to the governor, Cristina Kirchner, and Sergio Massa. A trusted Kicillof associate told La Nación, "In management, there are no problems."

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From the beginning of the administration, internal tensions have been maintained. However, there have been no consequences in structural matters.

Sources identified with the former president stated that internal tensions have persisted since the start of the administration but have not impacted "structural issues." Officials within Kicillof's government who are members of La Cámpora assured the newspaper that no officials were considering resignation, despite the escalating confrontation with the governor.

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The internal conflict has not had an impact in terms of management.

In contrast to the current situation, in September 2021, 10 ministers and high-ranking officials aligned with Cristina Kirchner submitted their resignations to then-President Alberto Fernández. To support the claim that internal politics are not affecting governance, Kirchnerist sources pointed to ministries like Health and Justice, led by Nicolás Kreplak and Juan Martín Mena respectively. They noted that within the health ministry, different factions coexist, while the justice department has advanced on numerous judicial appointments. However, the Peronist infighting is starkly evident at the municipal level, particularly in La Matanza, the province's most populous district. There, Mayor Fernando Espinoza, aligned with Kicillof, is in conflict with La Cámpora, whose local representative is Facundo Tignanelli.

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if they continue like this, these guys [referring to La Cámpora] can achieve something historic: to lose La Matanza.