The government admits that Milei's image does not achieve a solid rebound after the Adorni scandal and are calibrating the electoral strategy.

Manuel Adorni is no longer part of the government, but the repercussions of his departure due to his growing wealth remain current. Surveys reaching Casa Rosada show that President Javier Milei maintains his "stable image for several months," around 35 points, but has not made a significant leap despite the government's attempt to regain the agenda. "The floor is high, the issue is the ceiling," analyze officials. Based on this, the political teams at Balcarce 50 are thinking about the 2027 electoral campaign and are outlining scenarios while a strategy of agreements more linked to the need to eliminate the PASO and guarantee re-election emerges, rather than to La Libertad Avanza's (LLA) own willingness to build bridges. Sources familiar with the numbers considered by Casa Rosada value that Milei's positive image has never fallen below 30 points but remains steady around 35. The government assumes that, after the impact of the Adorni case (who was summoned), there has not yet been a breakdown that reverses perceptions and solidly boosts Milei's image. People involved in libertarian political life assure that the controversy with the former Chief of Staff, protected for almost four months by the Milei brothers, Javier and Karina, affected the discourse line of a government that promised austerity and clarity in public service. "Adorni was a blow because it meant a depromotion of the government," they say. The former official is under investigation in justice for alleged illicit enrichment. Adorni left public office in June and moved to a very low profile. Presidency In sectors of Casa Rosada, there is agreement with some private consultancies that warn that the electorate is also raising new demands. It's as if they had already "paid" Milei in 2025 for lowering inflation, fiscal surplus, and shrinking the state, and now they expect him to resolve the fall in purchasing power and employment. This is against a backdrop of heterogeneous growth. The latest data from the Monthly Economic Activity Estimator (EMAE) for May marked red for wholesale and retail trade, as well as manufacturing industry, the sectors with the greatest negative impact. Both sectors—except for March—were in decline in January, February, and April. Conversely, among the sectors in green are agriculture, livestock, hunting, forestry, and mining. While the President and Economy Minister Luis Caputo say that "everything is going according to plan" and praise their supposed virtues, others in the government know that the future of the program is what will or will not attract votes. Despite Secretary General of the Presidency Karina Milei's distrust of polls—she was one of the few in 2025 to be confident that LLA would prevail in October—the spirit of agreement is based on her brother's victory. "We need to agree because we can't win alone," say other libertarian factions, emphasizing how good it would be to pull off a surprise in the first round. Karina Milei, along with Martín and Eduardo "Lule" Menem, lead the LLAN party. Nicolás Suárez The government estimates that pacts will be finalized around October. Last week, allies alerted Casa Rosada when they caused the sale of land to foreigners and changes in the fire management law to fall in the Senate. The government's first goal for 2027 is to eliminate the PASO. It is still early. Those who know Karina Milei imagine she will concede as little as possible: only what serves her for four more years of power and to sweep the primaries. Eliminating them would allow her to discipline her partners and take away from Peronism a tool to organize itself. Candidates In case of a PASO, sectors of Balcarce 50 say they "light candles" for Buenos Aires governor Axel Kicillof, the only clear option for Peronism so far. Why? Because political terminals of the government see numbers indicating Kicillof would win the Peronist internal and believe that, when competing with Milei, the President could propose future versus past. "It's hard for people to vote backwards. Axel has the entire past to offer ahead; he's the best candidate," says a source, who is also excited about a new contest against Sergio Massa. However, in the 2025 Buenos Aires election, LLA did not succeed with the contrast "Kirchnerism or freedom." The Buenos Aires governor, Axel Kicillof The most complicated thing for Milei, they say, is if a Peronist candidate with outsider traits emerges or an unknown, charismatic politician appears, behind whom this opposition unites. In the center-right universe, the government needs to trim its offer. Pro could complicate its plans. There is a prevailing feeling in the government that Mauricio Macri is pressuring with his own or his space's national candidacy to reach an agreement that maintains hegemony in the City. Some in Casa Rosada believe that if they agree with Macri, it should be with Mauricio and not Jorge, to reach a national understanding where LLA cedes the head of government in Buenos Aires and Pro does not present a presidential candidate. Some voices are excited to demand that the elections be held on the same day, to channel votes from Buenos Aires to Milei. Mauricio Macri and Pro threaten to present their own candidate. Inside Within the internal front, Patricia Bullrich is key. With her own capital and high profile, the Senate leader does not follow Karina Milei's directives and displays a "critical Mileism," especially in republican matters. "Patricia is inside and adds the 'nerds' of Cambiemos. If that were in agreement with the government, it would be ideal, but no, she's playing her own game," warns an official source. Bullrich needs Milei. She is aware. Everyone knows that the senator will ask for her share in these elections: vice presidency, ministries, and positions not easily decreed, such as deputies and senators. Thus, she would become a mandatory negotiation point for a possible second term. The President holds her in high regard, and the senator also values Milei. Both appreciate a straightforward relationship. The President said this week that Bullrich is "a general of the libertarian cause." "Patricia needs to be embraced," says a voice from Balcarce 50. Patricia Bullrich, the libertarian figure with the best image In the provinces, the violet leaders await Karina Milei's signal to know whether they will be taken to compete or if their ambitions are diluted by pacts with allies. Conquering governorships has become secondary for the presidential sister. Some sectors of the government that watch the polls are not very enthusiastic. Misiones, Tierra del Fuego, or Córdoba appear only as not impossible. In the latter, there is a loose radical: Rodrigo de Loredo. Will they tempt him for the mayoralty of the capital? The Córdoba radical Rodrigo de Loredo The Buenos Aires province, where Peronism is active, is a tough battle. The current Chief of Staff, Diego Santilli, is excited about becoming Kicillof's successor. Being governor has been his long-standing dream. Other libertarian political actors believe there is only one chance to win there: if the election is unified; Peronism is divided; and one of the candidates beats the strongest opposition space by 10 or 15 points. Sources who spoke with LA NACION say Milei is "pragmatic" and will follow the strategy recommended to him to succeed. "If he has to replicate the 2025 campaign, he will," they exemplify. Javier Milei