The  candidate  for the  legislative elections  in Buenos Aires for Unión por la Patria, Mariana González, made the party's stance on public safety clear by stating:  "Prison doesn't solve insecurity. More prison for younger people won't solve crime and violence issues; it will worsen them. Moreover, juvenile crime rates are minimal." The statement, which downplays the impact of crime, comes from a social activist aligned with Juan Grabois, one of the most visible faces of progressive populism  in the country.

Meanwhile, as progressivism attempts to downplay the security crisis and delegitimize the toughening of penalties, the national government is advancing with a clear strategy in Buenos Aires City.Karina Milei and the presidential spokesperson, Manuel Adorni, launched the campaign of La Libertad Avanza (LLA) with the chainsaw as a symbol, consolidating their stance on adjustment  and  structural reform. The event took place at the Buenos Aires Government headquarters and highlighted the direct challenge to the PRO  administration in the Federal Capital.

Campaign kickoff and the dispute with Macrism

LLA's electoral launch in CABA  marks the beginning of a campaign that will seek to challenge the district's control from the PRO, a space that has governed the City for almost two decades. The libertarian event coincided with an interview of Mauricio Macri  in which the former president expressed his concern about Milei's  offensive against the PRO.

"When I hear and read that Karina Milei wants to end me and the PRO, they should say 'thanks to the PRO for so much generosity'", he stated on Radio Mitre. Meanwhile, Jorge Macri seeks to reorganize his space with a list headed by Silvia Lospennato, aiming to contain the libertarian advance and avoid internal fracture.

The confirmation of Manuel Adorni as the head of LLA's list reinforces the government's intention to bring its management model to the City. Accompanied by fintech specialist lawyer  Solana Pelayo, economist Nicolás Pakgojz  and legislative secretary Andrea Freguia, the libertarian team presents itself with the goal of consolidating the transformation that Milei is pushing at the national level.

The head of Government, Jorge Macri, decided to separate the Buenos Aires elections from the national ones, creating a scenario where the  dispute between PRO and LLA will be the central focus. Adorni, who initially seemed reluctant to compete, finally took on the challenge under the premise of deepening libertarian reforms. "I will be in the role that I'm placed in. I will support the ideas. If I'm asked for something, I have to comply or go home," he stated, showing his absolute alignment with Milei.

La Libertad Avanza presents itself as the only force with a concrete action program to address the structural and social problems of the City. The electoral dispute in CABA  will be a key thermometer to measure the consolidation of the libertarian project and its ability to displace both the PRO and the Kirchnerist  opposition in the country's most prominent district, as they did in the national elections.