Guillermo Francos resigned as chief of cabinet in Javier Milei's government after the October 26 elections, with presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni set to assume the role starting Monday. The move drew criticism from Mauricio Macri, who questioned Adorni's experience, and Axel Kicillof, who criticized his exclusion from a governors' meeting. Adorni pledged to deepen structural reforms as a priority.
On Friday, October 31, Guillermo Francos submitted his resignation as chief of cabinet to President Javier Milei, citing 'persistent rumors about modifications in the National Cabinet' to allow an unconditioned post-election stage. In his X post letter, Francos emphasized addressing governance after the October 26 elections. Simultaneously, Interior Minister Lisandro Catalán resigned.
Presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni was appointed as replacement and will formally assume on Monday or Wednesday, per sources. In his first X post as chief of cabinet, Adorni thanked Milei for the trust and stated: 'deepening structural reforms will be a priority.' On Radio Mitre, he added: 'There are very important and urgent reforms and we have the President's instruction to carry them forward.' On Francos, he said: 'There was a fulfilled cycle,' but praised him as a 'key piece' who 'sowed respect and affection,' a sentiment shared by the Cabinet.
The appointment sparked divided reactions. Mauricio Macri, after a dinner with Milei at Olivos, posted on X: 'We did not manage to agree' on strengthening teams for the second stage. He criticized: 'The departure of a man with capacity and balance like Guillermo Francos... to be replaced by someone without experience, does not seem like good news,' suggesting Horacio Marín, YPF president, as a more suitable alternative.
Axel Kicillof, Buenos Aires governor, sent an open letter to Milei reproaching his exclusion from the governors' meeting: 'It is not a good sign to exclude those he considers 'enemies.'' Representing provinces with over 40% of the population, Kicillof criticized the fiscal adjustment, recession, and deal with Donald Trump, urging to 'listen, correct, and dialogue' for federal development with social justice.
Other changes include Santiago Caputo's integration into the Cabinet and the defection of seven PRO deputies to the La Libertad Avanza bloc, aligned with Patricia Bullrich. Support messages came from Federico Sturzenegger ('Back to back') and Luis Caputo, who farewelled Francos: 'It has been an honor to work with you'.
The Government plans to advance privatizations of highways and key hydroelectric dams in November, seeking congressional consensus for labor, tax, and budget reforms.
