Milei looks to Santilli to move beyond Adorni chapter

President Javier Milei government is preparing to install former PRO politician Diego Santilli as his next Cabinet chief, part of a reshuffle aimed at relaunching his administration after Manuel Adorni's resignation.

The shake-up is expected to see the Interior Ministry, currently led by Santilli, fall under the Cabinet Office, strengthening the operator’s political clout.

Government sources say Santilli’s appointment could be announced on Sunday, with his swearing-in ceremony likely to take place early next week.

Officials told the Noticias Argentinas news agency that the move will reshape the government's organisational structure, with the Interior Ministry once again reporting to the Cabinet chief.

Although a new Interior minister is expected to be named, Santilli – known as ‘El Colo’ – will serve as the portfolio’s political boss, reviving the arrangement deployed by former Cabinet chief Guillermo Francos and then-Interior minister Lisandro Catalán until 2025.

Santilli joined the Interior Ministry in October last year to broaden the government's political outreach, weeks after helping to deliver a key election victory for La Libertad Avanza (LLA) in Buenos Aires Province.

Since then, the experienced operator has won the confidence of President Javier Milei, Presidential Secretary Karina Milei and senior adviser Santiago Caputo, the trio known as the government's "iron triangle."

If confirmed, Santilli will become the fourth Cabinet chief of Milei's Presidency. The Casa Rosada hopes the appointment will draw a line under the Adorni saga and reset the agenda.

Milei remained at the Quinta de Olivos presidential residence on Saturday. Despite speculation of a formal farewell for Adorni, his former spokesman, there was no official photograph or meeting. Instead, the President only reposted messages of support from allies on social media.

Karina Milei praised Adorni after he published his resignation letter, referring to the "difficult and undeserved moment" he and his family had endured amid public attacks and allegations of illicit enrichment.

"Dear Manuel, thank you for your tireless work throughout this time and for defending the ideas of liberty with a passion and commitment rarely seen," she wrote, describing him as an "upright, valuable and deeply respected" person.

Security Minister Patricia Bullrich struck a more restrained note, writing on X that "trust and ethics are two fundamental elements for deepening change." The President also reposted her message from Olivos, where he remained as of midday Sunday.

– TIMES/NA