Missionary deputies regroup behind Passalacqua

Diputados from the province of Misiones are regrouping under the leadership of Governor Hugo Passalacqua, signaling a shift within Argentina’s legislative landscape. The breakaway from the Frente Renovador de la Concordia has rippled into Congress, with movements emerging in both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. Passalacqua appears to be gaining influence as he consolidates support among legislators from Misiones and other northern provinces. Currently, Misiones' deputies are part of the Innovación Federal bloc, which includes representatives from Misiones, Salta, and two independent lawmakers from Formosa and San Luis. According to parliamentary sources, a core group of seven legislators could soon be formed, with official recognition likely during the August 26 session in the lower house. This date coincides with the government's plan to present the draft bill for the second stage of the Law of Innocence Fiscal. The new grouping would consist of four Misiones legislators and three from Salta, each aligned with either Passalacqua or Gustavo Sáenz. Among the Misiones representatives are current bloc leader Alberto Arrúa, former governor Oscar Herrera Ahuad, Yamila Ruíz, and Daniel Vancsik. From Salta, the group would include Pablo "Loro" Outes, Yolanda Vega, and Bernardo Biella. These developments have raised concerns among more authoritarian figures who view the professional and critical practice of journalism as essential to democracy and thus find such shifts unsettling. Sources indicate that there might also be changes in the leadership of the bloc. While future agreements remain uncertain, it is believed that Herrera Ahuad could take over the leadership role. The split between Passalacqua and the historical power figure in the province, Rovira, has created opportunities for Passalacqua and his legislators to expand alliances with other northern provinces and potentially grow their bloc further. One potential complication for the national government is that Rovira had secured votes for the political reform, which included proposals to suspend or eliminate primary elections (PASO). Under the new scenario, the presidential office will need to engage in tougher negotiations with Misiones, which is still grappling with the effects of the Law Bases, introduced by Federico Sturzengger, which eliminates the Institute of Mate Leaf (INYM) and has placed producers in economic difficulty. In the Senate, Senator Sonia Rojas Decut has aligned herself with the governor, while Carlos Arce has sided with Rovira. Despite these divisions, dialogue continues, and some Misiones legislators hope that Arce might begin voting in alignment with them in the coming weeks, even if they do not formally join the same bloc as Rojas Decut. Meanwhile, as Passalacqua gains influence in Congress and Rovira sees his power challenged, the presidential palace and the campaign team led by Karina Milei are growing emboldened by the internal conflict within the provincial ruling party, seeing it as an opportunity to strengthen their position for the upcoming year.