23/06/2026 18:42 - Politica
Buenos Aires Minister of Government, Carlos Bianco, led a press conference this Monday in La Plata alongside Infrastructure Minister Gabriel Katopodis and Banco Provincia President Juan Cuattromo. While the main objective was to demand funds owed by the National Government, attention shifted toward growing tensions within Peronism following Saturday's rally at Parque Lezama.
During the ceremony marking the first anniversary of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner's house arrest, Máximo Kirchner was the sole speaker before approximately 15,000 attendees and launched pointed criticisms:
The message had a clear target: Axel Kicillof. According to confirmed sources, the Buenos Aires governor has not visited or spoken with Cristina Kirchner in over eight months.
The last and only visit occurred on October 1, 2025, three weeks before the legislative elections. The meeting lasted an hour and a half, was one-on-one with no witnesses, and no photographs were taken.
Bianco attempted to defuse the conflict without directly addressing whether Kicillof felt targeted:
"Saturday's gathering was very clear in its purpose. The goal was to commemorate one year of Cristina's unjust imprisonment. It coincided with Flag Day, and Kicillof encouraged participation from both the 'Derecho al Futuro' Movement and the Buenos Aires Justicialista Party".
Regarding CFK's conviction, Bianco was categorical: "Due process was not respected", noting that funds for public works were approved unanimously in Congress and that "there is no evidence or proof that she was involved".
Regarding Máximo's reference to "default candidates", Bianco drew a clear line regarding the electoral calendar:
| Topic | Official Position |
|---|---|
| PJ Candidates | "Not yet defined" |
| This Year | "Is the year for political leadership" |
| Definition | "The Peronist people will choose in 2027" |
| Mechanism | "Open primaries (PASO) remain in effect" |
This position contrasts with Kirchnerism's logic, which seeks to position Cristina first as leader and candidate. For the Governor's office, forcing that conversation now deepens a premature fracture against the real adversary: Javier Milei.
Bianco presented a detailed report on the national government's debt to Buenos Aires Province:
Total underfunding, including uncollected revenue, reaches 26.7 trillion pesos.
Katopodis presented the Climate Risk Management Plan with a warning:
An extremely intense El Niño event is approaching, bringing heavy rainfall and flooding. Only three similar events have occurred in history: 1982-1983, 1997-1998, and 2015-2016.
The plan includes 135 interventions and 10 resilience projects exceeding 530 billion pesos.
Context for International Readers: Peronism is Argentina's dominant political movement founded by Juan Perón in the 1940s. Kirchnerism is a leftist faction within Peronism led by Néstor and Cristina Kirchner. Cristina Fernández de Kirchner served as President (2007-2015) and Vice President (2019-2023), and is currently under house arrest for corruption convictions. On July 1, a new anniversary of Perón's death will be commemorated. It will be the first with Kicillof as president of the provincial PJ. Bianco indicated the event location is not yet defined, but will likely take place at the Quinta de San Vicente (Perón's former residence).
Alfredo S. Quiroga
