The Government is evading political reform in the Senate to avoid addressing the "Clean Slate" law and is instead pushing through the "Hojarasca" law.

In parallel with the evasion of the debate on political reform—in order to avoid discussing "Clean Slate" (Ficha Limpia)—the senatorial ruling party, led by Patricia Bullrich, will attempt starting tomorrow that the Committees on Constitutional Affairs and General Legislation debate the “Leaf Litter” (Hojarasca) law. This law has already been approved by the Chamber of Deputies and is desired by the Minister of Deregulation, Federico Sturzenegger. Another piece of legislation from this official could even reach the floor on Thursday, provided that the Casa Rosada manages to align with the dialogic opposition for further changes regarding private property. In recent weeks, allies have torn apart the project presented by the Buenos Aires politician, who yielded significantly to reach a report; now, she will have to concede even more on something vital to Balcarce 50—as long as the situation involving Chief of Staff Manuel Adorni does not explode. Last May, the initiative—which eliminates 58 regulations, modifies articles in eight others, and repeals two decrees considered “useless, anachronistic, or contrary to individual liberties”—obtained 139 votes in favor, 96 against, and nine abstentions in the Chamber of Deputies. It will now be discussed in a joint session of two committees led by ruling party members: Agustín Coto (Constitutional Affairs) and Nadia Márquez (General Legislation). “Leaf Litter” groups the deletions into six categories: laws superseded by subsequent regulations; those obsolete due to technological advancement or the passage of time; those affecting individual liberties; those generating unnecessary bureaucracy; those referring to already dissolved agencies; and agencies funded by national funds without actual activity. Among the regulations to be repealed are those regarding whips (from the 19th century), microfilming, backpackers, and regulations on public laboratories which, according to the central administration, never created new establishments or allocated funds. The Secretary of State Transformation and Public Function, Maximiliano Fines, explained during the debate in the lower house committees that the project aims to “reduce regulatory conflict and confusion” by replacing old legal frameworks with more modern provisions. Furthermore, the text that reached the Chamber of Deputies incorporated modifications compared to the first document sent to Congress from Balcarce 50. At the request of various sectors, the ruling party excluded Law 11.380, related to loans from the Banco de la Nación Argentina for cooperatives. It also preserved Law 20.959, which grants free movement credentials to parliamentarians, and maintained public funding for the National Legislators' Circle. The initiative has a turbulent history. First presented in 2024, it lost its status without being addressed on the floor. The Executive re-sent it last March. It received a report in April and, amid controversy regarding the assets of Chief of Staff Manuel Adorni, managed to be approved in May. The lack of interest from Bullrich and the Casa Rosada in opening up the debate on political reform—to prevent allies from attempting to separate "Clean Slate" and sign a report—is confirmed not only by the agenda for the 3:00 PM joint session: Constitutional Affairs (i.e., Coto) called a meeting one hour later to address a project by the—hardly dialogic—Natalia Gadano to endorse the agreement for the creation of the “Monte León” inter-jurisdictional marine park between the National State and Santa Cruz. This is the level of priorities managed by the Buenos Aires politician and the Government. Beyond all this, the momentous event of tomorrow will occur at 6:00 PM during the Parliamentary Labor meeting called by the Vice President and Senate President, Victoria Villarruel. There, party leaders will define the potential session for Thursday. Kirchnerism is pressing to undermine Adorni's fate that day, while Radicals and Macrist members have warned they prefer not to stake their reputation on a protégé of the Milei brothers. The landscape is delicate, and many are wondering at this stage why there is such insistence on going to the floor during a “short” week, which increases second-guessing and distrust within the heart of Mileism. In fact, the current scenario has been perfectly exploited by Bullrich, who has even outmaneuvered the fiercest opposition. The drawback for the former Minister of Security is that she does so as the Libertarian leader; just days ago