The Argentine Senate approved 74 judicial candidate lists on June 4, 2026, filling numerous long-standing vacancies within the national judiciary [1].
This mass approval represents a significant legislative victory for President Javier Milei, who has sought to reshape the judicial branch to align with his administration's goals. By filling these seats, the government aims to reduce the backlog of cases and remove the administrative paralysis caused by years of unoccupied judgeships.
The session in Buenos Aires was convened after legislators gathered 47 signatures required to reach a quorum [4]. The approval includes the nomination of María Verónica Michelli, a candidate whose appointment had previously been a point of contention among lawmakers [1, 3].
President Milei said the vote was "a true milestone" [2]. He said the approval of the lists marks "the beginning of the reconstruction of Justice" [3]. The president said the move addresses an "avalanche of appointments approved by the Senate after years of vacancies without cover" [5].
The process of approving these "pliegos," or candidate lists, is a constitutional requirement in Argentina to ensure legislative oversight of judicial appointments. The approval of all 74 lists suggests a moment of alignment between the executive branch and the Senate, despite the controversies surrounding specific nominees like Michelli [1].
Critics of the process have raised concerns about the speed of the approvals and the potential for political influence over the judiciary. However, the administration maintains that the priority is restoring the functionality of the courts to ensure the rule of law, and the efficiency of the legal system [5].
“"A true milestone"”
The confirmation of these 74 judges allows President Milei to exert significant influence over the composition of the Argentine judiciary. By filling vacancies that had remained open for years, the administration is not only attempting to improve judicial efficiency but is also strategically positioning loyalists or compatible legal philosophies within the courts to facilitate its legislative and economic agenda.
