Manuel Adorni is preparing for a high-voltage week in Congress, where the opposition is moving full steam ahead to interpellate him and, for the first time in history, he could be removed from office. On Tuesday, the Chamber of Deputies will try to hold a session to address two requests for interpellation and four for reports; on Thursday, the Senate will discuss a Peronist project to summon him with a view to censure. La Libertad Avanza (LLA) seeks to dodge the pressure while the official accumulates complaints over alleged illicit enrichment.
In the Chamber of Deputies, the opposition gathered signatures from Unión por la Patria, the Frente de Izquierda, the Coalición Cívica, Encuentro Federal, and about 13 from Provincias Unidas. They would be joined by larretista Álvaro González and Marcela Pagano, who is at odds with the government. Natalia De la Sota, from Defendamos Córdoba, has already confirmed her vote in favor of interpellation and censure. “The matter is serious and grave enough for some to change their position or play dumb,” the Cordoban posted on social media.
However, quorum is uncertain. One source estimated 120 attendees, but others said they were 15 short of the 129 needed. From the ruling party, they hinted that the opposition won’t make it. The PRO and the UCR are “undecided,” according to sources: they expect Adorni to resign. The MID, on the other hand, will attend: “We will provide quorum and vote for interpellation. Censure, we’ll see,” said deputy Eduardo Falcone.
In the Senate, the situation is more tense. On Thursday, a resolution project from the Popular inter-bloc to interpellate Adorni will be discussed, with a view to a censure motion. Peronism claims to have the numbers to make him appear. LLA, desperate, seeks a last resort: arguing that interpellation requires two-thirds of the votes (48 senators) because it is a treatment on the table. But the head of the caucus, Patricia Bullrich, had said that an absolute majority is enough. “It could only be due to pressure from the Pink House,” internal sources speculated, pointing to Karina Milei as the author of the maneuver.
If the interpellation succeeds, Adorni would have to appear on July 2, just when he expected to give his management report. The Chief of Staff, under pressure from revelations about his alleged asset irregularities, has been muted as presidential spokesperson, a position now held by deputy Adrián Ravier by appointment of Javier Milei.
Meanwhile, the government is racing against the clock to approve before June 30 the payment of US$171 million to two “vulture” funds, already with half-sanction from the Senate. The opposition, meanwhile, does not let up: “Whoever wants to remove him is playing into the government’s hands. We have to let him keep grinding away,” a provincial representative reflected off the record.
Para mí Adorni es un cagón de manual, se hace el patriota pero en el Congreso le tiemblan las patas. Que se presente y dé la cara, chorro! La oposición no lo suelta hasta que explique de dónde sacó tanta guita. Esto huele a enriquecimiento ilícito y él lo sabe.
Para mí Adorni es un capo total, la oposición es basura envidiosa que quiere voltearlo por guita. Déjenlo laburar, estos zurdos hay que fumigarlos. Vamos LLA carajo, a esquivar la interpelación como los grandes.