The Argentine Senate voted this week to include the nomination of judge María Verónica Michelli in its session despite efforts by President Javier Milei to withdraw it [1], [3].
This decision marks a significant friction point between the executive branch and the legislature over judicial appointments. The move suggests a willingness by the Senate to override presidential preferences when legislative agreements with opposition parties are in place [2], [3].
The approval comes as part of a broader legislative push to fill judicial vacancies. The Senate reached an agreement with the opposition to process a total of 73 judicial nominations during the current session [2].
President Milei had attempted to remove Michelli from the list of candidates. Reports said the president's objection was rooted in the judge's family ties to journalist Hugo Alconada Mon [3]. Despite these reservations, the negotiation between the ruling coalition and opposition members ensured that the nomination remained on the agenda [2], [3].
The session took place in the Senate Chamber in Buenos Aires [1], [2]. The legislative body moved forward with the vote, effectively neutralizing the president's attempt to block the appointment [3].
“The Senate included the nomination of judge María Verónica Michelli in its session despite efforts by President Javier Milei to withdraw it.”
This event highlights the limits of President Milei's influence over the judicial branch and his relationship with the Argentine Senate. By pushing through a nomination the president explicitly opposed, the Senate is asserting its constitutional role in the appointment process and demonstrating that political bargains with the opposition can outweigh executive directives.
