In a key session on September 3, 2026, the Buenos Aires City Legislature approved Martín López Zavaleta as the new Attorney General of the Public Prosecutor's Office, replacing Juan Bautista Mahiques. The body also ratified María Rosa Muiños as Ombudsman and made preschool for 3-year-olds mandatory starting in 2027.

A Broad Political Agreement

The session on September 3, 2026 at the Buenos Aires City Legislature was the stage for a political agreement that brought together the PRO, PJ, and La Libertad Avanza (LLA) parties. Key negotiators were Daniel Angelici (PRO), Juan Manuel Olmos (PJ), and Pilar Ramírez (LLA), who sealed a pact that unlocked key appointments for the city.

The full legislative body approved the appointment of Martín López Zavaleta as Attorney General of the Public Prosecutor's Office (MPF) of Buenos Aires, with 51 votes in favor and 6 against (4 from the PJ/Cámpora bloc and 2 from the left). López Zavaleta, a 52-year-old lawyer graduated from the University of Buenos Aires (UBA), with a postgraduate degree in Cybercrime from the University of Catalonia, becomes the first first-instance prosecutor to reach the top position of the MPF.

Profile of the New Attorney General

  • Joined the MPF: 1999.
  • Previous roles: Prosecutor specialized in Gender Violence and Cybercrime.
  • Interim role: Since March 2026, after the resignation of Juan Bautista Mahiques.
  • Replacement: Mahiques became Minister of Justice of the Nation.

María Rosa Muiños Ratified as Ombudsman

In the same session, the Legislature ratified María Rosa Muiños as Ombudsman of Buenos Aires, with 56 votes in favor and 2 abstentions. Muiños, a former Peronist legislator, had held the position since 2021, and her term was set to expire in December 2026. With this decision, her tenure is extended by 5 more years.

Additionally, five deputy ombudsmen were appointed: Facundo Sáez, Silke Arndt, Carlos Palmiotti, Graciela Giorgione, and Gisella Furcada. The distribution reflects political balance: 2 for LLA (Giorgione and Furcada), 1 for UCR (Palmiotti), 1 for PRO (Arndt), and 1 for the larretismo faction (Sáez).

Mandatory 3-Year-Old Preschool: An Educational Milestone

The Legislature also approved by unanimity (57 affirmative votes) the mandatory nature of the 3-year-old preschool level in Buenos Aires' initial education. The measure will take effect in the 2027 school year, with a 2-year period to adapt the educational offering.

This decision aims to expand educational coverage in early childhood, a key step for child development and equal opportunities.

Reuse of Abandoned Vehicles

Another law approved was the modification of Law No. 342, which will allow the reuse of abandoned vehicles for public purposes. The vote was 36 positive, 14 negative (LLA), and 2 abstentions (FIT).

This regulation seeks to give a useful purpose to unused cars, turning them into resources for the state.