Ariel Basile The round of negotiations between La Libertad Avanza (LLA) and PRO to form an electoral front in Buenos Aires Province continued on Tuesday evening in national deputy Diego Santilli’s offices. After the meeting, the libertarian camp highlighted “significant progress,” while Mauricio Macri’s party confirmed its willingness to reach an agreement — but stressed that PRO’s mayors must have greater influence within the alliance, in contrast to the terms proposed by Karina Milei’s envoys.
Present at the meeting on behalf of LLA were Sebastián Pareja — president of LLA in the province and a key strategist aligned with the president’s sister — and Gonzalo Cabezas, national director of Municipal Affairs at the Interior Ministry. Representing PRO were host Diego Santilli, Cristian Ritondo (head of PRO in Buenos Aires province and leader of the party’s national deputies), and Guillermo Montenegro, mayor of Mar del Plata. Neither side released images or official summaries of the gathering.
LLA described the meeting as long and highly productive. While candidates were not yet discussed, the focus was reportedly on how to provide political support for the national government from within Buenos Aires province, sources close to Pareja told the Herald’s sister title, Ámbito. The goal is to finalize an agreement ahead of the split local elections set for September 7, though the outcome could also impact the national elections on October 26.
PRO mayors resist Karina Milei
The meeting took place against a backdrop of resistance from PRO mayors, who have pushed back against Karina Milei’s demands. She is reportedly seeking total control over candidate selections for both provincial legislatures and municipal councils, insisting on running solely under the LLA (purple) banner and avoiding a broader party coalition. “That point is non-negotiable. Everything else is still up for discussion,” LLA sources said.
Faced with this resistance from local leaders, Pareja met three allies of Patricia Bullrich beforehand, including two sitting mayors: Diego Valenzuela (Tres de Febrero), who has already defected to LLA, and Ramón Lanús (San Isidro), who — like Montenegro — is open to finalizing the deal on Milei’s terms. Pareja also met with national deputy Gerardo Milman, a close advisor to Security Minister Patricia Bullrich.
“One of the key issues was beginning to align municipal councils and the Buenos Aires provincial legislature so both political forces can operate organically,” LLA sources said, acknowledging the need to coordinate local and provincial candidate slates. Talks also continue on the legal framework of the alliance, while preparations are being finalized for President Javier Milei’s appearance at an LLA plenary meeting in La Plata this Thursday.
A complex balancing act
“We’re working on the agreement with LLA in the province with seriousness and political maturity. This is not an improvised deal or a job handout — it’s a process of building a consolidated front,” PRO representatives said.
Among the three PRO negotiators, Ritondo faces the most complex balancing act. He maintains a direct line to Mauricio Macri and is working to preserve the party’s identity. Santilli and Montenegro, however, could potentially join the LLA ranks if a deal is not reached.
Alongside their call for “serious, achievable, and concrete proposals to put an end to populism,” PRO officials urged Pareja to “protect and strengthen the mayors.”
“We govern in 13 of 135 districts, and our challenge is to keep transforming people’s lives with municipal councils that support reforms and the leadership of our mayors,” they told Ámbito. Translation: local leaders are not willing to give up control over council renewals.
“Today we took major, positive steps in that direction, but discussions will continue in the coming days to reach solid agreements,” both sides concluded.
