Amid sparks with Patricia Bullrich, the influential head of the La Libertad Avanza (LLA) Senate bloc, Manuel Adorni sought to lean on the internal power of the Secretary General of the Presidency, Karina Milei, who again gave him her support to remain in the government, although the coordinating minister will have reduced maneuverability in the area of communication.
Adorni, who last night went so far as to contradict Bullrich over the suspension of her visit to the Senate scheduled for July 2, had met hours earlier in three rounds with members of the libertarian bloc. In those meetings, the absence of the former Security Minister became notable, but the Chief of Staff maintained unwavering support from Karina Milei.
Amid rumors circulating strongly in the Casa Rosada about another possible reduction of his power that would aim to remove his signature from certain government decisions, the denial was categorical from various official sources. “It’s fake” and “no chance” were two of the coinciding responses that came from different LLA terminals.
The Secretary General of the Presidency, along with President Javier Milei, maintain their unrestricted support for Adorni amid the criminal investigation for alleged illicit enrichment. Outside of them, he garners no public support. Far from the photos he had in the first weeks of the scandal he is involved in, the official has not received backing from officials or members of the Cabinet he directs for some time.
The last major demonstration was on April 29, at Adorni’s presentation in the Chamber of Deputies, when ministers and leaders, along with the Milei siblings, accompanied him from the various boxes. The Chief of Staff then said his sworn statements were in order and there was no concealment. Something he himself would deny in a conversation with LN+ weeks later, when he stated he had about US$500,000 that he had not previously reported.
“Manuel is ratified,” they repeat almost like a mantra at Balcarce 50. Especially since Friday, when he himself announced the arrival of Adrián Ravier, the president’s choice for the spokesperson role, which Adorni had held since December 10, 2023, and then maintained alongside his appointment as Chief of Staff.
The appointment of Ravier, who last night sat in the front row alongside the Chief of Staff himself at the Faro Foundation, was the de facto admission of the “obstruction” that Adorni’s figure represents in communication matters for the libertarian administration. Something that in private—at the various government terminals—had been recognized for some time.
In contrast to the presence of the Secretary General of the Presidency, one who did not attend any of those meetings was Patricia Bullrich, leader of the violet bloc in the upper house and the only ruling party figure who made public the criticisms against Adorni that most mutter in private but dare not voice publicly.
“She has a very complicated parliamentary labor meeting,” was the reason given by those close to Bullrich, who for weeks has been objecting to Adorni’s continuity in his position, but at the same time leads negotiations to delay—and in the best case, dilute—the request for interpellation promoted by the Kirchnerist opposition in the upper house.
The reduction of tasks for Adorni by no longer having the spokesperson role is interpreted in different ways within the government. On one hand, there are those who see in this change an “oxygenation” after more than three months in which he was unable to continue exercising his role. And that it also “complicated” or directly “made impossible” the government’s communication.
On the other hand, there are those who believe that despite this “turning of the page,” the change “will not be enough.” Not a few view with astonishment the comments accumulating on each of Adorni’s posts, “whatever the topic.” There are calls for resignation, for him “not to take the administration down with him,” and “to step aside.” Those who have “double-clicked” on each of them see with concern that most of those comments are from their own voters.
At the Casa Rosada, they seek to convey that there are no cracks or differences regarding the coordinating minister, but that narrative clashes with the admission from other terminals. In recent hours, Adorni also lost one of his most loyal supporters, the until-now Secretary of Communication and Press, Javier Lanari, who arrived with him in public administration in December 2023 and left the post in recent hours.
According to what could be learned, Lanari’s departure was a personal decision, but also understanding that it could be an “oxygenation” or a “change” for Adorni’s management. At the Casa Rosada, they explained that when Lanari discussed it with the Secretary General of the Presidency, she agreed that it could help for a change of air at this time.
In contrast to these departures from the coordinating minister’s ecosystem, at various terminals consulted, they ruled out that there could be more changes in his future. In that sense, they dismissed the possible elimination of Adorni’s signature from the Chief of Staff’s office. “It’s fake,” they assured. Along those lines, others pointed to the photos that Adorni “managed” on a day when the Chamber of Deputies gave him good news, with the lack of quorum for the session that could advance the search for his interpellation. Although everything became muddled again at night, when the exchange of opinions with Bullrich occurred.
Para mí Karina es la única que le pone garra a este proyecto, los demás son puros gorilas disfrazados de liberales. Bullrich y los tibios que critican a Adorni deberían cerrar el orto, no tienen ni la mitad de los huevos que él. ¡Vamos Argentina carajo!
Para mí este gobierno es un circo berreta. Adorni agarrado a la pollera de Karina como un nene, y Bullrich lo ningunea. Se les cae la careta: son Macri reciclado, recortan derechos y se pelean la torta. Yo creo que no merecen ni un cargo, que se vayan todos. Viva la lucha obrera, carajo.