01/07/2026 15:34 - Politica
Diego Santilli's appointment signals a pragmatic turn toward coalition-building after weeks of institutional turbulence following the corruption scandal that toppled his predecessor.
On June 30, 2026, at 17:30, in the historic Salón Blanco (White Hall) of the Casa Rosada (Argentina's presidential palace, equivalent to the White House), Diego Santilli was sworn in as the new Chief of Cabinet of Ministers. This position is roughly equivalent to a Prime Minister or White House Chief of Staff in other countries, making Santilli the second most powerful figure in the Executive branch.
The ceremony was attended by 14 allied governors, a powerful display of political unity aimed at projecting stability after the scandal that forced Manuel Adorni's resignation.
Santilli, 59 years old, brings extensive executive experience to the role. He served as Vice-Chief of Government of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires from 2015 to 2021 under Mayor Horacio Rodríguez Larreta, and had been serving as Minister of the Interior since November 2025.
Santilli's appointment responds to an urgent need to repair the government's image following the resignation of Manuel Adorni on June 27, 2026. The former presidential spokesperson faced investigations over a staggering 775% increase in his personal wealth, from approximately $20 million pesos to $944 million pesos. The scandal included allegations of undeclared payments of USD 245,000 for renovations at a luxury country club and USD 500,000 in undeclared cryptocurrencies.
According to political analyst Alejandro Catterberg, the scandal cost the administration 10 percentage points in approval among Milei voters and 20 points among PRO party supporters, explaining the rush to rebuild the governing coalition.
The ceremony brought together governors from across Argentina's 23 provinces and the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (CABA). Argentina is a federal republic where provinces have significant autonomy, making gubernatorial support crucial for any national administration:
| Governor | Province | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Raúl Jalil | Catamarca | Northwest |
| Leandro Zdero | Chaco | North |
| Juan Pablo Valdez | Corrientes | Northeast |
| Carlos Sadir | Jujuy | Northwest |
| Alfredo Cornejo | Mendoza | Cuyo (West) |
| Rolo Figueroa | Neuquén | Patagonia |
| Alberto Weretilneck | Río Negro | Patagonia |
| Marcelo Orrego | San Juan | Cuyo (West) |
| Claudio Vidal | Santa Cruz | Patagonia |
| Osvaldo Jaldo | Tucumán | Northwest |
| Rogelio Frigerio | Entre Ríos | Coastal |
| Gustavo Sáenz | Salta | Northwest |
| Jorge Macri | CABA (Buenos Aires City) | Central |
| Martín Llaryora | Córdoba | Central |
Ignacio Devitt has been appointed as vice-chief executive, while Gustavo Coria takes over the Interior Ministry as vice-chief of that department. Adrián Ravier was designated as the new presidential spokesperson, partially replacing the functions previously concentrated under Adorni.
The government aims to shift focus toward its economic achievements: Argentina's Central Bank (BCRA) has accumulated USD 11 billion in purchases during 2026, reserves stand at USD 47.081 billion, and the trade surplus from January to May 2026 totals USD 11.783 billion.
Santilli's arrival at the Cabinet represents a strategic move to strengthen the governing coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential elections. His profile as a pragmatic administrator and his connections with the PRO party (center-right) aim to consolidate moderate voters who may have been alienated in recent months.
The new Cabinet Chief faces immediate challenges: parliamentary negotiations with sectors that had criticized the previous management, rebuilding relationships with the provinces, and coordinating a legislative agenda that includes political reforms, the potential elimination of the PASO system (Argentina's open primary system), and the possible implementation of the Ley de Lemas (a vote-counting system used in some Argentine provinces).
Source: Official government announcements and provincial records.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
