Adorni's exit reshapes Argentine government as Milei pivots

Manuel Adorni's resignation as Chief of Cabinet after more than 100 days of scandal marks a turning point for Javier Milei's government. The former spokesman admitted to tax evasion and amassed unexplained wealth, triggering a crisis that forced the President to abandon his 'anti-casta' rhetoric and embrace traditional politics.

The scandal

Adorni's downfall began when he confessed to evading taxes and justified his newfound wealth through cryptocurrency investments Source: emolcl. A leaked quote from a closed-door meeting captured his defense: "No pagué impuestos, pero no soy un chorro. No evadí más porque no pude" Source: emolcl. Polls show 63.7% of Argentines believe Adorni committed irregularities, and 61.8% think Milei should have fired him immediately Source: larepublicaco.

Internal power shift

Adorni's removal was orchestrated by Karina Milei, who consolidated control over the government's political apparatus. She took over the communications secretariat, convened legislative blocs, and positioned loyalists in key roles Source: lavozar. Sources disagree on whether Milei resisted: one outlet reports that the President was reluctant to "execute an innocent" Source: emolcl, while another claims Karina acted during Milei's trip to Spain and he ratified it upon return Source: lavozar. Patricia Bullrich emerged as a challenger, pushing for Adorni's exit and threatening to resign as Senate bloc leader, but she now operates under Karina's supervision Source: clarin.

New political phase

Diego Santilli, a seasoned PRO politician, replaced Adorni to restore dialogue with governors and advance legislative priorities such as the inviolability of private property law Source: lavozar. The government also revived the re-election amendment and an electoral reform to weaken the opposition Source: infobae. Meanwhile, Milei's approval rating rose to 39.7% in June, driven by improved inflation expectations, though disapproval remains high at 58.2% Source: larepublicaco. Critics argue that Milei has now created his own 'casta' Source: infobae, signaling a departure from his anti-establishment roots.