President Javier Milei's government is renewing its push to pass a new bill tightening restrictions on electoral candidates with criminal records from seeking office.
Presidential Spokesman Manuel Adorni confirmed on social media Friday that Milei had signed a new version of the so-called 'Ficha Limpia' bill ("Clean Record bill"), adding it had been sent to Congress for debate.
Adorni said "the true 'pact' is with all those who desire a free and prosperous country. God bless the Argentine Republic.”
The bill will be treated in special sessions, which were convened by President Milei last week. The government's legislative agenda comprising seven bills, with the ruling La Libertad Avanza party seeking support from PRO, UCR, and Miguel Ángel Pichetto’s caucus in Congress.
Among various proposals, the proposed appointments of magistrates Ariel Lijo and Manuel García Mansilla to the Supreme Court will be examined by the Senate. An "anti-mafia law," amendments to the criminal code and an electoral reform bill are also up for debate
The bill drawing the most attention is the 'Ficha Limpia' bill, not least because its introduction would disqualify former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, Milei's main rival, from running for office in the upcoming 2025 midterms.
Defence Minister Luis Petri is leading the drafting of the bill, which seeks to exclude candidates convicted of corruption from running for office.
The proposed legislation, which is being pushed heavily by the government, would block individuals with confirmed second-instance convictions from standing in elections, except if their sentence was handed down in an election year. It has undergone major revisions since it was last presented in 2024.
Fernández de Kirchner was found guilty last year, and so her candidacy would be blocked should she run for office. Her conviction still has to be confirmed by the Supreme Court.
The bill is part of a broader legislative push, following previous failed attempts to pass similar measures due to political resistance and legal challenges. The bill faced significant opposition in 2024, primarily from within the Chamber of Deputies, where internal disagreements led to its rejection.
According to the government, its passage would promote transparency and integrity within the political system, signalling a shift towards stricter accountability for public officials.
If passed, the bill could have far-reaching implications for Argentina's political class, potentially affecting not just Fernández de Kirchner but also other prominent figures with pending legal issues.
– TIMES/NA
