Midterms latest: Adorni set to run for La Libertad Avanza in City

President Javier Mieli’s top spokesperson Manuel Adorni is to switch communications for frontline politics and will run as La Libertad Avanza’s top candidate for City lawmaker in the upcoming midterms.

Adorni, 45, will compete in the Buenos Aires City May 18 elections at the top of the list for La Libertad Avanza.

The spokesman, according to reports, is the preferred pick of Presidential Chief-of-Staff Karina Milei, who is overseeing the selection of party slates nationwide.

President Milei’s kitchen cabinet believes that it is more than just seats at stake in the May election. It will be the first true electoral dispute between the ruling party and its allies PRO, with both going to the people to assess their support.

La Libertad Avanza also wants to build momentum ahead of the October national elections, which will act as a measurer of President Milei’s support.

Adorni, who has appeared across a host of media outlets, is one of President Milei’s key officials. The spokesperson is often sent out to deal with crises and hosts regular press conferences, at which he often challenges reporters in the style of the US government under US President Donald Trump.

News of his switch to frontline politics exploded across libertarian accounts on social media. Lawmaker Agustín Romo, for his part, was among those to cheer the selection, with online influencer Iñaki Gutiérrez writing: “A renowned economist, excellent person and a tremendous kuka tamer. Let's bury Kirchnerism.” 

Fellow online troll Daniel ‘Gordoo Dan’ Parisi – also rumoured to be on the LLA list in the capital – also cheered the move, issuing his congratulations.

However, it may not be plain sailing for Adorni. At press time, reports emerged that expelled LLA City lawmaker Ramiro Marra intends to run for re-election under his own banner, potentially siphoning off vital votes from the spokesperson-cum-politician.

Background

Born in La Plata on February 28, 1980, Adorni graduated in economics at the National University of La Plata and qualified as an accountant at the Universidad Argentina de la Empresa (UADE).

During his career, Adorni combined university teaching with political and economic analysis for national media outlets. He hosted the No va más programme for Radio Rivadavia and was a regular columnist for the Infobae website.

His foray into politics began in 2019, when he founded the ‘Uni2’ party, which later became part of Republicanos Unidos. 

Adorni’s profile rose hugely when he was summoned by Javier Milei to be his presidential spokesman, going from an almost unknown nationwide to one of the most recognisable and vociferous defenders of the government.

Over time, Adorni has increased his power. In June 2024 he was promoted to the level of secretary, taking control of all public media, including the former Télam state news agency and state outlets Radio Nacional and TV Pública, among others.

Married and a father of two, Adorni is one of the government’s most active figures on social media. A keen gamer, he is described by those in his entourage as a top communicator who is always aligned with the government and President Milei’s agenda.

– TIMES/NA