In an unexpected turn, President Javier Milei confirmed this Sunday the appointment of Diego Santilli as the new Chief of Cabinet, replacing outgoing Manuel Adorni. The news landed like a bombshell in the political arena: Milei himself, who built his campaign by railing against the caste, has just placed one of its most prominent figures at the helm of the Casa Rosada. Santilli, a man of political wheeling and dealing, a fan of River Plate and motorsports, had been relegated to third place on the violet list in the last elections—a snub that, according to close sources, he silently endured. But politics, as he often says, offers a second chance, and this time the comeback came from the very president who promised to dynamite the status quo.
Adorni’s departure was not related to a possible interpellation or the judicial investigation targeting him, according to Milei in an interview with LN+. «Is there a sentence? You cannot condemn an innocent man,» the president fired, in an attempt to clear doubts about the reasons for the change. However, speculation soon emerged: Adorni, the former presidential spokesperson, had become a constant target of criticism for his management and polarizing figure. Senator Patricia Bullrich, in statements to the same broadcaster, was blunt: «It greatly helps us to return to the people’s agenda and not the one that was segmented around his figure.» For Bullrich, Adorni’s departure creates a «new moment and breathing space for the government.»
Former President Mauricio Macri also spoke out, celebrating the decision: «I celebrate that decision,» he wrote on his X account. According to reports, Santilli had a conversation with Macri before meeting with Milei this Sunday, reinforcing the idea of a pact between the PRO and La Libertad Avanza. Santilli, for his part, spoke after the official announcement and described the position as «the most important challenge» of his life. «I will work collectively,» he stated, in an attempt to show a conciliatory profile. He will be sworn in on Tuesday at 4 p.m., in a ceremony that promises to be the focus of the week.
Meanwhile, repercussions were immediate. From the opposition, questions target the president’s coherence: how can it be explained that a man of the caste, a career politician, assumes the most important cabinet position? Milei himself had said his government would end the privileges of the political class, but with Santilli at the head of the Chief of Cabinet, doubts grow. On social media, users did not hold back: «Milei promised a chainsaw and ended up appointing a caste member,» «Santilli is the same old wheeling and dealing,» were some of the most viral comments.
The new Chief of Cabinet will have to deal with a complex agenda: inflation shows no respite, the blue dollar continues to rise, and social tensions are increasing. Additionally, he must face judicial investigations that taint the government, including the insurance case and the alleged emptying of public works. Santilli, who comes from management in the province of Buenos Aires and the vice-chief of government of Buenos Aires City, knows the intricacies of power but also carries the stigma of being part of the establishment that Milei swore to fight. The lingering question is whether this appointment is a masterstroke to add political experience or a nod to old politics that will ultimately blur the libertarian project.
For now, Santilli will formally assume office on Tuesday. And the country, once again, will be watching the moves of a president who seems to have no ceiling on his contradictions.
ay dios mio santilli de vuelta?? para mi estos gor*s de mierda nos toman el pelo prometen sacar la casta y meten al mismo chorro de siempre macri festejando claro son todos lo mismo la izquierda es la unica salida carajo vivan los laburantes #Furioso
che para mi esto es un chiste milei prometio sacar la casta y mete a santilli que es la casta con patas macri festejando claro se llenan la boca con la motosierra y despues hacen esto una verguenza loco votamos cambio y nos cagan de nuevo