La Libertad Avanza and PRO seal alliance in Buenos Aires with violet ballot

The Buenos Aires PRO officially authorized this Friday the formation of an electoral alliance with La Libertad Avanza (LLA), ahead of the provincial elections on September 7. In a party assembly led by Cristian Ritondo at the headquarters on Balcarce Street, the "yellow" leaders validated the possibility of alliances, paving the way for a political agreement aimed at confronting a united Peronism in the province.

Although the minutes did not define party names or technical details, sources close to Macri's circle indicated that the move represents the "starting point for forming an anti-Kirchnerist front," which would be identified as Frente La Libertad Avanza, with no mention of PRO and with a purple ballot.

A front without the PRO brand

Before the meeting, national deputy Diego Santilli clarified that the PRO brand will not appear in the name of the new electoral front. "When we were Cambiemos, PRO was included. We participated as a party, but now the challenge is to put an end to populism," he stated.

The meeting was signed by Ritondo, Vicente López mayor Soledad Martínez, and former Lanús mayor Néstor Grindetti, the formal president of the provincial assembly. Mayors and Buenos Aires legislators such as Martín Yeza, Julio Garro, Agustín Forchieri, María José Gentile, Marcelo Matzkin, Pablo Petrecca, and Aldana Ahumada, among others, also participated.

Advanced negotiations and list distribution

Negotiations between PRO and LLA progressed this week on several levels. Ritondo, Santilli, and Guillermo Montenegro met with libertarian organizer Sebastián Pareja in Congress, while technical teams from both parties held parallel meetings to fine-tune details.

The agreement would include a 75/25 distribution scheme for candidacies, in favor of LLA. PRO expects to secure at least one seat per electoral section, and LLA committed to respecting governability in municipalities currently governed by PRO, especially regarding the composition of local lists.

Meanwhile, a "territorial sweep" is being carried out in more than 120 Buenos Aires districts to reach consensus on the best candidacies, without imposing rigid percentages. However, in some municipalities such as Vicente López, Junín, 9 de Julio, and Pergamino, local leaders demanded that the existing party structure be respected.

Milei places a strong bet on Buenos Aires

LLA insists that the front's symbolism will not include references to PRO or the color yellow. "The fight against Kirchnerism must be with the identity of La Libertad Avanza," stated Pareja, Karina Milei's delegate.

Several days ago, President Javier Milei had already stated at a private dinner that the battle for the province will be key. "Bringing change to Buenos Aires province is one of our top priorities," he said, pointing to Axel Kicillof's administration as responsible for "a century of humiliation."

Next steps before the Electoral Court

The new front must formally register with the Electoral Court in the coming days. The definition of lists by electoral section for the September 7 elections will then begin, in which half of the Buenos Aires Chamber of Deputies (92 seats) and the Chamber of Senators (46 members) will be renewed.

PRO is putting 8 of its 13 deputies and 4 of its 9 senators currently in the Legislature at stake. The ability to retain those seats will depend on the electoral strength achieved by the new front with La Libertad Avanza.