Patricia Bullrich: 'The chainsaw is dull in Buenos Aires City'

Just hours before the deadline for the May 18 election lists, the Minister of Security, Patricia Bullrich, toured the City of Buenos Aires alongside leaders of La Libertad Avanza (LLA). Her presence in the capital city is significant in a context where it has not yet been decided who will head the ruling party's list in the local elections.

Bullrich, one of the most valued officials by President Javier Milei, was accompanied by the president of LLA in the City, Pilar Ramírez, the deputy Juan Pablo Arenaza, and legislators from the libertarian bloc in the Buenos Aires Legislature.

LLA challenges PRO in its electoral stronghold

This is the first appearance of a national official ahead of the midterm elections, where LLA will compete strongly against PRO, a party that has dominated Buenos Aires politics for 17 uninterrupted years.

"We have a superior project," Bullrich stated to the press.

The minister avoided confirming candidacies but made it clear that all the leaders of the space are available: "We are all candidates, we are all part, and each one will play in the place that the coach and the team say."

Criticism of the Buenos Aires government and Larreta

During her tour of Santa Fe Avenue, Bullrich criticized PRO's management in the City of Buenos Aires and highlighted differences with the speed of the transformations driven by Javier Milei at the national level.

"The country is changing, it's moving at a very fast pace, and the city continues as if that change doesn't exist," she asserted. "The chainsaw is dull in the City of Buenos Aires," she added.

She also targeted Horacio Rodríguez Larreta, former mayor of Buenos Aires and current candidate in the local race. In particular, she questioned his recent statements about the presence of bad odors in the streets.

"If that's the most important thing Larreta has to say, he doesn't understand the structural problems," Bullrich concluded.

Closing of lists and the challenge for PRO

The closing of lists in the City of Buenos Aires is scheduled for midnight on Saturday. Most of the eight coalitions competing have already defined their main candidates. However, both LLA and PRO maintain uncertainty and will take advantage of the last moment to finalize their candidates.

The dispute between the two political forces is crucial, as a defeat for PRO could mean a severe blow to Macrismo, which has maintained control of the City since 2007.

Referring to the support she receives on the street, Bullrich highlighted the government's resistance to criticism and opposition mobilizations:

"People know they want to topple us, so they support us. We are convinced that people will vote for our project."

Thus, the minister made it clear that, beyond the names on the lists, La Libertad Avanza faces a crucial challenge in the City of Buenos Aires, seeking to establish itself as the new alternative against PRO's historic dominance.