After losing seats in the elections, Peronism aims to regroup into a Justicialist Bloc with 22 senators to counter La Libertad Avanza. Internal tensions, absences, and breakaways threaten the plan, with groups like Convicción Federal and senators from Santiago del Estero choosing autonomy. This could shrink Peronist representation to its lowest since 1983.
Peronism is undergoing a reorganization in the Senate following the October 26 elections, which led to the loss of eight seats. The previous fragmentation strategy, designed to gain spaces in the Magistracy Council in 2022, will dissolve, forcing unification into a Justicialist Bloc led by figures like José Mayans and Juliana Di Tullio. "We have to dismantle Unidad Ciudadana," Di Tullio told Cristina Kirchner, aiming to hold 22 legislators in a single space to contest the first minority against La Libertad Avanza's 19 or 20 seats.
Talks are progressing to dissolve blocs like Unidad Ciudadana and the National and Popular Front, but key exclusions remain. The four senators from Convicción Federal—Carolina Moisés, Fernando Salino, Guillermo Andrada, and Fernando Rejal—ratified their autonomy, criticizing the lack of consensus. Moisés stated on social media that the "unity" is proclaimed without consulting dissenters, and her entourage said: "They make unity only among the K's." Andrada, linked to Catamarca Governor Raúl Jalil, is evaluating alliances outside Unión por la Patria, including meetings with the government on the 2026 Budget.
Additionally, Gerardo Zamora and Elia Moreno from Santiago del Estero reject the bloc's name and will form their own caucus, though José Neder will join the Justicialist one. Zamora, drawing closer to the national government through meetings with Diego Santilli, seeks independent prominence. A dinner at PJ headquarters on Wednesday highlighted absences by Juan Manzur, Sandra Mendoza, Cändida López, and Daniel Bensusán, though they guaranteed adhesion. A legislator remarked: "We're talking to everyone and today we count on 22 legislators; if someone flips later... I don't know what to tell you".
If the breakaways materialize, Peronism would be left with 22 members, just two above La Libertad Avanza, altering negotiations for special majorities like judge appointments. This would mark the PJ's lowest Senate representation since 1983, exposing a historic post-defeat fracture.