President Javier Milei abolished the Interior Ministry on Thursday, transferring its functions to the office of the cabinet chief [1].
This restructuring centralizes political authority within the executive branch. By consolidating these powers, the administration seeks to more effectively manage its relationships with provincial governors and the national legislature during critical negotiations [1].
According to the official Gazette, the responsibilities previously held by the Interior Ministry now fall under the control of cabinet chief Diego Santilli [1]. The move expands Santilli's role, positioning him as the primary coordinator between the presidency and other levels of government [1].
The timing of the dissolution coincides with upcoming talks in Congress. The government intends to use this streamlined structure to coordinate more efficiently with provinces and legislative leaders to advance its policy agenda [1].
By removing the separate ministry, the administration eliminates a layer of bureaucracy. This shift allows the cabinet chief to directly manage the political frictions and diplomatic needs of the various Argentine provinces, a critical step for any president seeking to implement sweeping national reforms without a dominant legislative majority [1].
Santilli will now oversee the tasks that were historically the domain of the Interior Ministry, which included maintaining the federal balance and managing the internal political stability of the republic [1].
“President Javier Milei abolished the Interior Ministry on Thursday”
The abolition of the Interior Ministry signals a shift toward a more centralized, lean executive structure. By placing provincial and congressional relations directly under the cabinet chief, Milei is reducing the distance between his office and the political bargaining process. This suggests a strategy of high-level, direct negotiation rather than relying on a traditional ministerial bureaucracy to maintain federal ties.
