President Javier Milei shook the political board this Saturday by announcing that Diego Santilli will be the new Chief of Cabinet, replacing the resigning Manuel Adorni, who fell embroiled in a judicial scandal over alleged illicit enrichment. The news, which broke after 8 p.m., was confirmed by the president himself through his X account, where he posted a photo alongside Santilli and the General Secretary of the Presidency, Karina Milei, as they outlined the foundations for an orderly transition of the position.
«Here alongside the new Chief of Cabinet of Ministers, Diego Santilli, and the General Secretary of the Presidency, Karina Milei, outlining the foundations for an orderly transition of the position,» wrote Milei, in a message that left no doubt about the urgency of the move. The swearing-in of the new coordinating minister will be Tuesday at 4 p.m., according to the head of state.
Santilli, who until now served as Minister of the Interior, was chosen to assume the position after Adorni’s resignation, who left amid a judicial storm that threatens to splash the entire government. The former national deputy had arrived at that portfolio after achieving a historic election in the province of Buenos Aires, where the La Libertad Avanza-PRO alliance, led by «Colo,» prevailed in the 2025 Buenos Aires legislative elections by one point over Jorge Taiana’s list.
That campaign, which managed to reverse an election that was uphill after the case of José Luis Espert, allowed Santilli to win a seat in Congress and later be chosen as a government official in a key position for the relationship with the provinces. Now, the challenge is even greater.
«I believe in collective projects, not individual ones. That’s why I will work as a team, alongside a great Cabinet led by President Javier Milei, with a clear vision and the necessary determination to definitively pull Argentina out of the hole they left it in,» Santilli assured on his X account, in a message that left no doubt about his commitment to the official project.
And he added: «I will give my all so that this government continues advancing the structural reforms that Argentina has needed for decades. Thank you to the President and the General Secretary for their trust.»
The departure of Adorni, investigated for alleged illicit enrichment, left a void that Milei sought to fill immediately with a heavyweight from the PRO. Santilli, with experience in management and a more dialoguing profile than his predecessor, must now navigate the turbulent waters of a government facing judicial complaints and an increasingly aggressive opposition.
The scandal surrounding Adorni’s resignation is not minor. The judicial investigation for alleged illicit enrichment splashes the President’s inner circle and casts doubt on the transparency of the libertarian government. Milei, however, bets that «Colo» Santilli can calm the waters and give new momentum to the administration.
Santilli’s appointment is no coincidence: the former national deputy has a direct link to the PRO and figures like Horacio Rodríguez Larreta, but also managed to build bridges with Kirchnerism during his time in Congress. His arrival in the Cabinet could be interpreted as an attempt by Milei to broaden the support base and gain allies at a time when governability is becoming increasingly complex.
However, not everyone views this move favorably. Hardline sectors of the officialdom consider Santilli too «lukewarm» and that his dialoguing profile could hinder the structural reforms promised by Milei. The internal strife, as always, is served.
The fact is that on Tuesday, when Santilli is sworn in as Chief of Cabinet, a new chapter in the history of this government will open. A chapter that promises to be, at least, as intense as the previous one.
al fin un tipo con huevos en el gabinete!!! para mi santilli le va a dar duro a los zurdos de mierda. adorni se fue como un gil pero esto es mejó. vamos argentina carajo. milei presidente!!!
Para mí esto huele a la misma mugre de siempre. Santilli, el que votó el tarifazo, ahora jefe de Gabinete de Milei. La casta no se va, se reacomoda. Mientras los laburantes no llegamos a fin de mes, ellos se reparten el poder. ¡Se tienen que ir todos, carajo!