The Chamber of Deputies experienced a deep reconfiguration of the power map this Monday, which ultimately consolidated Javier Milei's ruling party as the leading parliamentary minority. On a day marked by unexpected moves and internal ruptures within the opposition, La Libertad Avanza managed to secure 95 seats, displacing Kirchnerism from its historic position of dominant force.
The most striking development was the incorporation of Francisco Morchio, a legislator from Entre Ríos who until today was part of Encuentro Federal and was politically aligned with Governor Rogelio Frigerio. His decision to join the libertarian bloc became known just hours after the fracture of Unión por la Patria, whose three deputies from Catamarca chose to form their own group. The result: the ruling party is in an unbeatable position to set the legislative agenda while Kirchnerism loses ground after the electoral defeat of October 26.
President Javier Milei himself publicly celebrated the parliamentary advance. Through his account on X, he confirmed the consolidation of the ruling bloc and wrote: "LEADING MINORITY CONFIRMED. VLLC!" The president thus highlighted the historic achievement of La Libertad Avanza, which reached 95 seats and displaced Peronism from the dominant position for the first time since 1989, a political milestone that marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new balance of power in Congress.
Morchio, a leader with a dialoguing profile and territorial influence, thus leaves the bloc led by Miguel Ángel Pichetto. His departure occurred just a few hours after the internal split in Unión por la Patria, a clear sign that the once-powerful Kirchnerist machinery is going through its most fragile moment in decades.
The rupture in Catamarca's Peronism was formalized in a letter sent to the president of the lower house, Martín Menem, where Fernanda Ávila, Sebastián Nóblega, and the elected deputy Fernando Monguillot announced the creation of the bloc "Elijo Catamarca." In the text, the legislators stated: "With my highest consideration: Through this letter, I am pleased to address you in order to inform you of the establishment of a new Parliamentary Bloc that will be called 'Elijo Catamarca'". Monguillot was appointed president of the new caucus, a sign of autonomy in the face of hardline Kirchnerism, which thus loses another province of influence.
