Defense Minister Luis Petri confirmed that he will head the list of national deputies for the province of Mendoza in the October legislative elections, as part of a political agreement reached between President Javier Milei and Governor Alfredo Cornejo.
This decision positions Petri once again on the national legislative stage and projects him as a potential candidate for the governorship in 2027. "I proudly accept President Javier Milei's offer to head the list of national deputies for my beloved Mendoza in the October elections," the official stated in a message on social media.
Petri emphasized that his commitment will be "absolute to our country, to our province, and to the direction decided by the president," referring to the reform agenda promoted by the libertarian government.
The agreement between Petri and Cornejo was sealed after several weeks of negotiations. According to provincial political sources, it was an understanding due to the lack of competitive alternatives within Mendoza's radicalism, since Government Minister Natalio Mema failed to consolidate his electoral profile. Consequently, the governor chose to close ranks with La Libertad Avanza and support Petri's candidacy.
Cornejo made the news official through a message on social media in which he stated: "I want to congratulate Luis Petri for taking on the challenge of heading the list of national deputies for our coalition. His track record supports him; he was twice a provincial legislator and twice a national legislator, always with a great vocation for service and a deep commitment to Mendoza and to the country."
The governor added that "returning to Congress means for Luis resuming a field he knows in detail and in which he has stood out for his work ethic, seriousness, and preparation. I am convinced that he will carry out this task with the responsibility and professionalism that characterize him, contributing to driving the changes that Argentina needs."
In his message, Petri highlighted the importance of advancing structural reforms in Congress and defined the political landscape as a central dispute against "the Kirchnerists and the addicts to the populist state who want to prevent the development of our country and our provinces."
This way, the understanding between Milei, Petri, and Cornejo consolidates a significant alliance in Mendoza and prepares the ground for a long-term political projection.
